Saturday, December 8, 2018

Thirunaadheeswarar Temple, Devanur, Villupuram

Thirunaadheeswarar Temple, Devanur, Villupuram
Thirunaadheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Devanur Village near Malaiyanur in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thirunaadheeswarar and Mother is called as Kamaleswari. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. Saint Arunagirinathar had sung hymns about Lord Muruga of this Temple. The Temple is Parihara Sthalam for Chandra Dosham.


Legends
It is believed that Chandran worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple.

History
The Temple is believed to be constructed during Chola period. Later Pandyas and Vijayanagara Kings had done renovations to this Temple. The Temple had been vandalized during the war between Raja Desingu of Gingee and Arcot Nawabs. All the wealth of this Temple had been stolen by the Nawabs.


The Temple
This is a grand old east facing Temple. The ruined huge stone gateway at the eastern entrance lead into a large stone Mandapam with nicely carved pillars, followed by the Goddess shrine facing south. There are 4 Nandi’s installed and a few old ones lying about along with several other idols, Avudayars and Lingams. Presiding Deity is called as Thirunaadheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lingothbavar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga are the Koshta Idols, located around the sanctum walls.


Idols of Ganesha and Muruga can be found at entrance of the sanctum. Mother is called as Kamaleswari and is facing south. There are shrines of Surya, Chandran, Naalvar, Ganesha, a Shivalingam, Arunagirinathar, Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Bhairava, Ashtabuja Durga and Chandikeswarar in the temple premises. Lord Murugan is having four hands with single face. He is in sitting posture. He looks similar to Palani Murugan. There are large number of inscriptions seen all around the temple indicate its glorious past. One kala Pooja is conducted in this Temple.


Literary Mention
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam:
The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 6th Song.
தென்னூர் கைம்மைத் திருச்சுழி யல்திருக் கானப்பேர்
பன்னூர் புக்குறை யும்பர மர்க்கிடம் பாய்நலம்
என்னூர் எங்கள் பிரான்உறை யுந்திருத் தேவனூர்
பொன்னூர் நாட்டுப் பொன்னூர் புரிசைநாட்டுப் புரிசையே
Thirupugazh Sthalam:
Saint Arunagirinathar had sung Thirupugazh Hymns on Lord Murugan of this Temple.
Contact
Thirunaadheeswarar Temple,
Devanur, Villupuram District – 604 208
Mobile: +91 99403 96051
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Malaiyanur, 11 Kms from Malaiyanur Bus Stop, 12 Kms from Chetpet, 18 Kms from Gingee, 18 Kms from Gingee Bus Stand, 42 Kms from Tindivanam, 43 Kms from Tindivanam Railway Station, 59 Kms from Villupuram and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. Devanur is situated on State Highway 4 between Gingee and Chetpet. While going from Tindivanam side, take a right at the main junction at Gingee onto the Chetpet road. Go for about 18 Kms and take a right to reach this temple.
Location