Nityasundareshvarar Temple/Tirunedungalanathar

Overview

Thiru Nedungalam in Tamil means a huge place in plains. Mother Parvathi performed penance here. Thirunedungulam is a small lovely village in Thiruverambur Taluk in Tiruchirappalli District of Tamil Nadu State, India. It is located at twenty one kilometre towards East from District head quarters Tiruchirapalli. This village has a famous shiva temple called Nedungalanadhar Temple. The historical name of the place is Thirunedungalam. The presiding deity is Shiva, who is locallly known as Tirunedungalanathar. His consort is known as Mangalanayaki. This is the 8th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Four Saivite Saints otherwise known as Nalwar (Samaya kuravar) and Saint Arunagirinathar had sung the glory of the Lord of the temples in their hymns. Thiru Nedungalanadhar in the temple is a swayambumurthi. This is a Chola period temple around 1500 years old. The suthai sculptures are portraying the story of this temple in Rajagopuram.

About The temple

This is the 08th padal petra sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. The sthala teerthams are Agastya Theertham and Sundara Theertham. The sthala vriksham is Arali and, Kasthuri.

The temple is facing west. It has got two prakaras. The tank is in front of the temple. There is no tower at the front entrance. The second entrance is depicted with aesthetic sculptures. Shrines of Lord Somaskanda and Chandrasekhara are in the southeast of inner passageway. Saptha Kannikas, Lord Dakshinamurthi and Aiyanar shrines are within the southern prakara. There is also a seperate sannidhi for Lord Valampuri Vinayaka in the Kanni Moola corner. Shrine of Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai is in the west prakara. The Shrine of Lord Varadaraja Perumal with His Upa Nachiars is on the southern side and that of Sage Agasthya is in the north. The Agasthya Theertham is said to be perennial. Shrine for Ambal is in the northeast corner of the outer prakara with a marriage Hall – Tiru Kalyana Mandapam . Valampuri Vinayagar Sannadhi is slightly tilted towards north.

This is the only temple in this form next to Kasi-Varanasi in India. It is noteworthy that procession deity Lord Somaskanda doesn't have His right thumb. It is said that an angry king cut it when Lord Muruga he came forward as a witness in disguise to shield a devotee, according to puranas. Yoga Dakshinamurthy idol in this temple is a rare one.

Adout The Deity

The deity of this temple is known by various names of Sri Nidhya Sundareswarar, Sri Nedungalanathar. Devotees know that Lord Shiva is praised as Artha Nareeswara as He had shared His left half with Mother Parvathi. Mother Parvathi  graces in the temple formless in the sanctum sanctorum, hence there are 2 towers above. She is said to be the yoga Sakthi of Lord Shiva. There is another separate ambal sanithi inside this temple. This ambal is known as Sri Oppilla Nayaki, Mangala Nayaki.

Festivals

On Aadi Fridays in July-August special pujas are performed in this temple. Monthly Pradoshas (thirteenth day of new moon or full moon days) are devotionally observed in the temple. Special pujas are devoted to four Saivite Saints, Ganasambandar, Turunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manicka Vasagar on their respective birth star days.

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother offering Vastras-clothing.

Rare Facts

Lord Shiva in the temple is swayambumurthi.The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity from the tamil month of Aadi seventh to twelfth (July-August).

Accessibility

Airport

The Nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

Railways

The nearest station is Trichy and the next closest station is Tanjore.

Road

Thuvakudi is 18 km far from Tiruchi on the Tahanjavur Road. The visitor must get down at this stop. Tirunedunkulam is 3 km from this place. There are direct town bus facilities also from Tiruchi to the place.

Temple Address

Sri Thiru Nedungala Nathar, Nitya Sundareswarar Temple,
Thiru Nedunkulam, Tiruchi district,
Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode - 620 015.