Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thiruneelakkudi – Religious Significance

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thiruneelakkudi – Religious Significance

Saptha Sthana Temples of Thiruneelakudi:

Sage Markandeya is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple by carrying him in palanquin to attain long life. Sage Markandeya achieved Chiranjeevi Status from Lord Shiva at Thiruneelakkudi Temple. As a mark of respect to Lord Shiva, Sage Markandeya worshipped Lord Shiva in Seven Temples around Thiruneelakkudi. In remembrance to this event, during annual Chithirai festival, Sage Markandeya accompany Lord Shiva and Mother of Thiruneelakkudi and visit the remaining six Shiva Temples. This is called Saptha Sthana Festival of Thiruneelakkudi.

The Saptha Sthana Temples of Thiruneelakkudi are;

1.    Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thiruneelakkudi

2.    Sundareswarar Temple, Elandurai 

3.    Somanathar Temple, Enathimangalam

4.    Naganatha Swamy Temple, Thirunageswaram

5.    Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam

6.    Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur

7.    Airavateshwarar Temple, Maruthuvakudi

Mooladhara Sthalam:

Those following the Yoga Marga, Tiruneelakkudi is the place to begin with as Mooladhara Sthala. There are six Aadharas known as Mooladhara, Swadishtana, Manipooraka, Anagatha, Vishuddi and Aagna in the human body. The efforts to raise the Kundalini Shakti begin from the Mooladhara.

Paadal Petra Sthalams:

The Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Shiva Sthalams) glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirunavukkarasar. This Temple is considered as the 149^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 32^nd sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.