Sri Lakshmipureeshwarar Temple

Overview

The Thirunindriyur Temple is located at Nagapattinam and is dedicated to God Shiva. This temple is one out of the 275 Thevara Sthalam of God Shiva. The idol of God Shiva in this temple is in the form of a swyambhu lingam.

About The Temple

This temple is one of the “Devara Sthalam”of Nagapattimnam District and is the 19th Shiva temple. Three poets had sung about this temple which is its significance. Royal tower in this temple has 3 stages. If we enter through the tower entrance, it leads us to spacious esplanade. There is no flag tree. Altar, Nandi and flag tree Vinayagar are present. In the outer courtyard Selva Ganapathy is located. Next is Shiva Linga worshiped by Parasuramar, Subramaniar with Valli and Deivanai sitting on a peacock turned to right side, Nalvar and Mahalakshmi shrines are located. Navagraga, Bairavar and Chandran (Moon) are all located in the same shrine. After worshipping Dwaravinayakar, Dhandapani and Dwarabalar, if we enter it will lead to the main God and Ambal is located to the right of the main God. There are three pools around this temple. Samandhar had sung about this threetham as “Neelamalar Poigai”. Once upon a time this temple was considered as one of the temples constructed by Kochenganan. One hundred years ago, when the city was renovated, it was believed that the existing structure was built. This place was called as Thirininravur as the strand of the torch stood in this place but later the place was called as Thirunandriyur.

About the deity

The chief or the presiding deity of this temple is God Lakshmipureeswarar. He is seen in this temple with his spouse Goddess Sri Ulakanayaki. Other names for the chief deity are God Mahalakshmi Nathar and God Jagadeeswarar. Besides the presiding deity, the other sub deities of the temple include: God Vishnu, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Sage Parasurama, Sage Jamadgni, God Ganesha, Nandikeshwara, Parasurama Linga, God Subramanya along with his consorts Sri Valli and Goddess Deivayanai, Nalvar, Navagrahas, God Chandra, God Bhairava and God Dakshinamurthy.

Legends and Stories

According to legend, the Sage Jamadgni and his wife Renuka Devi had 101 children. Renuka Devi was quite religious and she used to make pots from the raw sand next to the river bank and with utter devotion she used to fetch water in the pot from the river for completing every day rituals. Once while she was finishing her early morning cleansing, the celestial Gandharva crossed her direction. She suddenly lost her concentration and she could not make the pot and her every day ritual was unaccomplished. Her husband had visualized this entire situation. He got angry with this situation and he instructed his 100 sons to take the life of their impure mother. The loyal sons did not agree to their father and that is when Sage Jamadagni called his sons Parasurama and told him to behead his mother for her sin. He was quite furious at his other 100 sons for not accepting the task and so he cursed them to turn into slag. Parasurama accepted his father’s order and beheaded his mother and brought her to his father. His father was quite satisfied with the work he had done and he blessed him and asked him to wish for something. Parasurama out of his love towards his mother and brothers asked his father to give back life to his mother and all his brothers. And hence life was given back to all of them. Both Parasurama and his sage father were quite disappointed by the sins they had committed. Both of them reached the base of this holy place and they both started worshipping God Shiva. There is another legend which says that the Chola King who was ruling this city long back used to visit Chidambaram and he used to worship God Nataraja who was the form of God Shiva. One day he passed through this sacred area along with his mean that were carrying lamp. Whenever they would pass through this place, the lamp will go off and after they cross this place, the light will come back automatically. This unusual phenomenon made the King interested and he enquired about this place and was able to find a lingam at this place. After some time, he built a temple at this very place so that devotees can worship.

Festivals

Anithirumanjanam, Shivaratri, Thrikkarthigai.

Accessibility

Rail

There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Nagapattinam.

Air

Instead of Nagapattinam you can a get flight to Civil Airport on regular basis.

Road

Nagapattinam is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Maha Lakshmipureeswaraswamy Temple,
Kurumankkudi, Thirunandriyur-609118,
Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam District.