Sundareswarar Temple, Elandurai, Thanjavur

Sundareswarar Temple, Elandurai, Thanjavur

Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Elandurai village in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and Mother is called as Abhirami. The Temple is considered as one of the Temples in Saptha Sthana Temples of Thiruneelakkudi. The Temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for Chevvai Dosham.

Legends

Equivalent to Badrika Ashram:

When Veda Vyasa visited South India, he was searching for a better place for his penance. He was mesmerized by the beauty of the place. The place is full of Ilandhai Tree. Veda Vyasa chose this place and settled here. This place is equivalent to Badrika Ashram. 

Chevvai Parihara Sthalam:

It is believed Angaragan (Planet Mars) got relieved of his curse by worshipping Lord Shiva here. Hence, this Temple is considered as Chevvai Parihara Sthalam.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Agasthya, Durvasa, Markandeya, Bharadhwaja, Kashyapa, Brihu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya, Kabilar, Suryan, Nalan, Sadananda, Heyheya and Kandar worshipped Lord Shiva here.

The Temple

This is an east facing Temple with three-tiered Raja Gopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Sun Rays fall on presiding deity on three days in Chithirai Month. Mother is called as Abhirami. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.

There is a shrine for Badri Narayana Perumal in the western prakaram. He is having four hands. Upper Hands are holding Akshara Mala & Tulsi Bouquet and Lower hands showing Varada & Abhaya Hastha. He is gracing the devotees along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

There are Idols and shrines of Deepa Lakshmi, Vinayaga, Murugan, Dwara Ganapthy Gajalakshmi, Chandran, Suryan and Navagrahas in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Ilandhai Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple is Vyasa Kulam (Vyasa Pushkarini). It is situated to the east of the Temple.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 05.00 PM to 08.30 PM.

Festivals

Thiru Karthigai, Maha Shivarathri, Thiruvadhirai and Kanda Sashti are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare. Theerthavari is conducted on last Tuesday of Karthigai Month every year.

Religious Significance

It was believed that after achieving Chiranjeevi Status from Lord Shiva. He achieved this status 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

Prayers

Vyasa had made a tank here called Vyasa Kulam. Anyone who takes a bath on the first Tuesday of Karthigai will be blessed with a son. Taking a bath on the second Tuesday fetches wealth, while the bath on the third Tuesday fetches Gnanam (Knowledge). A bath on the fourth Tuesday gets one what he wishes for. Bath on the fifth Tuesday, if there is one, brings all heavenly pleasures. Those who have Chevvai Dosham has it dispelled by offering worship here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Thiruneelakkudi, 4 Kms from Ammangudi, 7 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 7 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur Railway Station, 7 Kms from Ayyavadi, 7 Kms from Thirunageswaram, 11 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 12 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Kumbakonam, 55 Kms from Thanjavur and 116 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Karaikal Route.

Location

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thiruneelakkudi, Thanjavur

Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thiruneelakkudi, Thanjavur

Neelakandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruneelakkudi in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Manokkiyanatha Swamy / Neelakandeswarar / Vilvaranyeswarar / Brahma Nayakar / Kamadenupuradesar / Thailapriyangeswarar. There are two separate shrines for Mother Parvathy in the temple premises. One Shrine houses Baktha Beeshta Pradayini / Tapas Parvati / Thavakkola Ammai and the other shrine houses Anoopamasthani / Azhakaambigai / Oppilamulayal.

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. The Temple is considered as one of the Saptha Sthana Temples of Thiruneelakudi.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/07/neelakandeswarar-temple-thiruneelakkudi-legends.html

History

Thiruneelakudi was called as Thennilakudi / Thennalakudi in ancient times. There are about five Chola period inscriptions in this temple. The Temple had been extensively renovated by Rajaraja Chola I and Vikrama Chola. The last consecration ceremony took place on 17^th March 2006. This temple is under the administrative control of Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/07/neelakandeswarar-temple-thiruneelakkudi-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 06:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

Pooja Timings

·        Kaala Sandhi (09.00 am)

·        Ucchi Kaalam (12.00 noon)

·        Sayaratchai (06.00 pm)

·        Artha Jamam (08.00 pm)

Festivals

18 days Chithirai Brahmotsavam (Apr-May) established by Sage Markandeya with procession of Lord not only around Tiruneelakkudi but also around the surrounding 18 villages each day and considered very important among the devotees ending at Elandurai (Poundarigapuram) Village; Aippasi Annabishekam (Oct-Nov); Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan); Aadippooram (Jul-Aug); Karthikai (Nov-Dec) and Masi Shivrathri (Feb-Mar) are the festivals celebrated here. Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year days are also celebrated in this temple. Monthly Pradoshams are also observed here.

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/07/neelakandeswarar-temple-thiruneelakkudi-religious-significance.html

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/07/neelakandeswarar-temple-thiruneelakkudi-literary-mention.html

Prayers

Couple separated due to various reasons prays to Lord Neelakandeswarar for their re-union and a renewed family life.  The also pray for longevity and perform remedial pujas to Lord for relief from the adverse aspects planet Rahu. Many pray for wedding, child, mental peace, job opportunities and success in trade efforts. Oil abishek is the most important commitment in this temple along with milk, curd, green coconut, sandal, sacred ash, flour, turmeric powder. Devotees also offer vastras to Lord and Mother. Some undertake feeding-Annadhanam.

Contact

Neelakandeswarar Temple,

Thiruneelakkudi Post,

Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk,

Thanjavur District – 612 108

Phone: +91 435 246 0660

Mobile: +91 94428 61634 / 91594 55050

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Aduthurai Railway Station, 6 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 12 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 13 Kms from Kumbakonam, 13 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 53 Kms from Thanjavur and 109 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Karaikal Route. Buses are available from Kumbakonam frequently.

Location | Photos

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur, Thanjavur

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur, Thanjavur

Mahalingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruvidaimarudur Town in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mahalingeswarar / Maruthavaneswarar / Maruthavaanar and Mother is called as Perunalamamulaiammai / Bruhatsundara Gujamabika / Nanmulainayaki. This temple is considered as one of the six temples along the banks of the Kaveri which are considered equivalent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Mahalingaswamy is the centre of all Shiva temples in the region and the Saptha Vigraha Moorthis (seven prime consorts in all Siva Temples) are located at seven cardinal points around the temple, located in various parts of the state. There are 3 temples having Marudha tree (Arjunam) as their Sthala Vriksham. This place is named as Idaimaruthur as it is in between Srisailam and Ambasamudram. The Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Krosha Sthalams around Kumbakonam. The Temple is considered as one of the Sakthi Peethas, Thiruvasaga Sthalams, Thirupugazh Sthalams and Pancha Linga Sthalams. It is also considered as Saptha Sthana Temples of Thiruneelakudi.

The presiding deity is revered in the 7^th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram written by Tamil poet saints known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.  The temple is revered by all the three Nayanmars (saint poets) namely, Appar, Sambanthar and Sundarar.This Temple is the 147^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 30^th Sthalam on south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The temple is maintained and administered by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a South Indian monastic institution.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple.html

History

The temple is believed to be around 2,000 years old and is associated with the Pandya king Varaguna Pandian. The oldest parts of the present masonry structure were built during the Chola dynasty in the 9^th century, while later expansions, including the towering gopuram gatehouses, are attributed to later periods, up to the Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16^th century. Govinda Dikshitar, the minister of Nayak is believed to have built the Pushyamantapas (halls) in this temple. 

Achyutappa also added gift of a village to the temple, the income of which was to be utilized for the temple car festival for the goddess in Adipooram day. The temple must be in existence even before 9^th Century AD as the Thevarams sung by Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar pre-date the 9^th century AD. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by Thiruvaduthurai Aadheenam, a South Indian monastic institution.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_55.html

Inscriptions

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_26.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 5.30 am to 12.00 Noon and from 4.00pm to 9.00 pm.

Worship & Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_17.html

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_79.html

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_23.html

Prayers

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_34.html

Contact

Mahalingeswarar Temple,

Thiruvidaimarudur – 612 104,

Thanjavur District

Phone: +91 435 246 0660 / 246 1946

Mobile: +91 97905 25781

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/01/mahalingeswarar-temple_78.html

Location | Photos