Neelakandeswarar Temple,
Iluppaipattu – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. Vijaya Ganapathy Shrine can be seen on the opposite side of the temple facing towards Rajagopuram. There are five Shivalingas in the temple worshipped by the five Pandava brothers, Dharma, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva namely Neelakandeswarar, Magadeeswarar, Padikarai Nathar, Parameswarar and Muktheeswarar. Though all the five lingams in this temple are considered to be the presiding deities, Neelakandeswarar and Padikarai Nathar are given prominence.
Nandhi, the bull mount of Lord Shiva can be seen before these two shrines only and Ambika shrines are there for Neelakandeswarar and Padikarai Nathar. The temple has two prakarams. The Sanctum Sanctorum follows Mada Kovil style and Kara Koil style architecture. It is built on a raised platform in the form of chariot pulled by horses. The Sanctum Sanctorum can be reached via flight of steps immediately after the Rajagopuram.
Padikarai Nathar Shrine:
The Sanctum of Padikarai Nathar with his consort Mangalanayagi can be seen on the right side. His Shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Padikarai Nathar is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam and is facing towards east. Mangalanayagi is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the left side of sanctum.
Nardana Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Ashta Bhuja Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Lord Dakshinamoorthy can be seen sitting on a bull below a banyan tree. There is a hole connecting his left ear to his right ear. Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location. This Shrine can be accessed through southern entrance facing Mangalanayagi Shrine only.
Muktheeswarar Shrine:
Shrine of Muktheeswarar can be seen between Neelakandeswarar Shrine and Padikarai Nathar Shrine. This Shrine is facing towards south. This Shrine consists of Ardha Mandapam and Sanctum. Those aspiring to master in astrology and scriptures pray here.
Neelakandeswarar Shrine:
Neelakandeswarar Shrine can be seen next to Muktheeswarar Shrine. This Shrine is facing towards east. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing the sanctum. This Shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Neelakandeswarar is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Nataraja Sabha can be seen in Maha Mandapam.
Lord Nataraja is depicted with ten hands and standing on his bull mount surrounded by devas. There are no Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. The Shrines of Padikarai Nathar along with his consort Mangalanayagi, Muktheeswarar and Neelakandeswarar Shrine shares a common open Mukha Mandapam and are situated in the raised platform.
Amudhakara
Valli Shrine:
The Shrine of Amudhakara Valli, the consort of Neelakandeswarar, is situated behind Neelakandeswarar Shrine in ground level. She is facing towards south. Her Shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. She is in standing posture and her left hand points to her feet. There is an east facing shrine for Lord Murugan in the Maha Mandapam of her shrine.
Parameswarar
Shrine:
Parameswarar Shrine is situated to the left side of the Neelakandeswarar Shrine in ground level. Parameswarar is housed in the shrine in the form of Lingam. This Shrine is facing towards east. This Shrine consists of Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam.
Magadeeswarar Shrine:
Magadeeswarar Shrine is situated to the left side of the Neelakandeswarar Shrine in ground level in front of Parameswarar Shrine. Magadeeswarar is housed in the shrine in the form of Lingam. The Linga is with 16 stripes as Shodasalinga. People worship here to have the 16 types of wealth. This Shrine is facing towards east. This Shrine consists of Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam.
Valampuri Vinayaka Shrine:
There is a shrine for Valampuri Vinayaka worshipped by Draupadi in the prakaram in ground level. This shrine is facing towards east. This Shrine consists of Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam. Valampuri Vinayaga is housed in the sanctum along with with Idampuri Vinayaka by the side. It is a rare chance for the devotees to worship two Vinayakas at the same time. It is believed that any undertaking after worshipping the twin Vinayakas will be successful.
Murugan
Shrine:
There is an east facing shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena to the left side of Neelakandeswarar Shrine on raised platform. This shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam.
Gajalakshmi
Shrine:
There is an east facing shrine for Gaja Lakshmi behind the Murugan Shrine in ground level.
Bhairavar,
Saneeswarar & Suryan Shrine:
There is a west facing sub shrine housing idols of Bhairavar, Saneeswarar and Suryan on the right side immediately after Rajagopuram in ground level.
Theerthams
& Sthala
Vriksham:
Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Manniyaru River and Kollidam River. Brahma Theertham is also called as Amrita Theertham or Nachchuppoikai. Sthala Vriksham is Illuppai tree.
