Naduvatheeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam
Naduvatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Nagapattinam Town in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu.
This Temple is also called as Naduvar Koil. Presiding Deity is called as Naduthalanadhar
/ Madhyapureeswarar / Naduvatheeswarar and Mother is called as Soundaranayagi. It
is believed that this is one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola.
Legends
Mada
Kovil:
Kochengat Chola was a Chola king and one
of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is
believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an
elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. He
had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer.
His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king,
Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was
named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and
built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants
cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one
of the temple built by him.
Brahma
Theertham:
Brahma wanted to take up the job of creation. So, he
came to Nagai according to the Advice of Mahavishnu and consecrated a Linga in
the centre of the Town. To the west of the Linga, he created a pond. Every day
he bathed in the pond and performed long poojas to Shiva Linga. The pond was
named after him as Brahma Theertham.
Yama
Theertham:
After Yama was punished in Thirukadavur he was made to
wake up by the Lord in Ezhupivittancheri he came to Nagapattinam and worshipped
Naduthalanadhar and regained his originality. Lord Shiva blessed him and he was
happy. He created a pond and it is known as Yama Theertham.
The
Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Naduthalanadhar /
Madhyapureeswarar / Naduvatheeswarar. This temple is in the centre of Nagai. Hence
Lord is called as Naduthalanadhar. Mother is called as Soundaranayagi.
Theerthams associated with this Temple are Brahma Theertham and Yama Theertham.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 600 meters from
Nagapattinam Neelayadakshi Kayarohaneshwarar Temple, 1 Km from Anna Silai Bus
Stop, 700 meters from Nagapattinam Railway Junction, 1.5 Kms from Nagapattinam
New Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Nagore and 145 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is
situated in the heart of Nagapattinam Town. Nearest Railway Station is located
at Nagapattinam and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
Location
