Nadanapureeswarar Temple,
Thandanthottam – The Temple
The Temple covers an area of
about half acre. There is no Rajagopuram. The Temple is having entrances at
eastern and southern sides. The main entrance is facing south. Mother shrine is
situated in the front Mandapam immediately after the entrance. Sanctum is
situated immediately after the eastern entrance and to the left of the Mother
Shrine. There is no Dhwaja Sthambam.
Only Nandi and Balipeedam can
be found facing the sanctum. Both the sanctum and Mother shrine are connected
by the front Mandapam. There are two Bhairavar Idols in the north east corner
of the Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Nadanapureeswarar and is facing
east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Lingam is about 6 feet tall. Utsavar
is Kalyana Sundara Moorthy with his consort Karthyayani in Marriage Posture. Dakshinamoorthy,
Lingodbhava, Brahma and Jyeshta Devi are the Koshta Idols located around the
sanctum walls. Here, Dakshinamoorthy is called as Rasi Mandala Guru. Dakshinamoorthy
is sitting on a Peedam, above the 12 Rasi (Star / Zodiac) Mandalams.
A common belief is that if a
person offers Manjal Vastra (Yellow coloured clothing) and Konda Kadalai
Malai (Chick pea Garland) to him and pray, the Dhoshams (sins) of people of all
the 12 Rashis will be relieved and Lord will bless them abundantly. Lingodbhava
and Brahma are missing from the Koshta. Jyeshta Devi in place of Durga is a
unique feature attesting the antiquity of the Temple. Chandikeswarar Shrine is
situated in his usual location. Mother is called as Shivagama Sundari. She is
housed in separate south facing shrine.
There are shrines for Bala
Ganapathy, Nagas, Durga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai in
the prakaram. Murugan looks like Chakrathalvar. Navagraha shrine is situated on
the north eastern side of the Temple premise. Theerthams associated with this
Temple are Agasthiya Theertham and Surya Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni
Tree. There is an ancient Shiva Lingam called Agastheeswarar, situated very
close to this Temple.
