Madhuvaneswarar Temple

Overview

One among the 275 abodes of Lord Shiva, considered as Madakkoil built by Cochengat cholan, situated at the banks of river Mudikondan, Madhuvaneswarar Temple is known as Nannilam Perungkoil. Situated about 25 kilometres from Mailaduthurai and 15 Kms from Thiruvarore , the place is also known us Devaranyam and Bragathpuram. The temple is considered to be the 71st in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located to south of the river Kaveri. The Main deity in the temple is swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Madhuvaneswarar / Prakasa Nadhar/ Prakaasa Nayakar and his consort known as Periya Nayaki / Prakasa Nayaki. King Kochenkan Cholan also has built 78 other temples of this nature. Nearly 5kms from Nannilam railway station, the temple is praised by Saint Sundarar in his Thevaram hymns and considered as 71st Lord Shiva Temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns. The lord is worshipped by the Shivalingas which has been installed by Death Lord Yama and Kubera lord in North and South and by Lord Varuna in the west and Indira in east. Some of the major festivals in the temple are Vaikasi Visakam in the month of May and June and Tirukarthikai falling in November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai festivals in addition to that Monthly Pradoshams and Shivrathri. Guru Puja done for Saint Sundarar in the day of Aadi Swati star day in the month of July-August is also done with pure devotion.

About The Temple

This small temple has 2 prakarams and a small Rajagopuram. The Soola Theertham (created with the trident of Shiva) is located to the north of the temple. The bronze image of Bhoga Sakthi is always housed in Shiva's sanctum. A flight of steps lead to the shrines of Somaskandar, Dakshinamurthy and Nartana Ganapati. There is a shrine to Mahadevalingam - associated with Bhrahmas worship and a shrine to Agatheeswarar. Devas in the heavenly world including their ruler Indira, Bruhadrajan had adored the Lord in this temple. It is based on an area covering a region of 270 feet long and 135 feet in width. The 30 feet tall 2 level Rajagopuram is confronting east with five Kalasas. Master Shiva in sanctum sanctorum is confronting east and Mother the south. In a little slope inside of the temple are places of worship for Lords Nardana Ganapathy, Somaskanda, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalayar, Brahma and Mother Durga. In the prakara down the slope are Lords Siddhi Vinayaka, Subramanya, Chandikeswara, Agastheeswarar, Brahmapureeswarar, Bhairava and Saturn (Sani Baghwan), Sun God and Navagrahas the nine planets and Mother Mahalakshmi. Ruler Nataraja graces from a different hallowed place close to the sanctum.

Legend and Stories

Vayu the God of wind and celestial serpent Adisesha asserted matchless quality of their ability in the court of the Devas. Adisesha secured the crests of Mount Meru with his thousand heads. Vayu couldn't shake the mount. This made frenzy on the planet and respecting the bid of Devas Adisesha gave in one top. Vayu shook the crest and took it to south when one little piece fell in this spot, as per sthala purana. The top's bit that fell here turned into a little mount which was before a plain. The temple is accepted to have been based on this mount. Ruler Shiva showed up here as a Tejolinga as the repentance's aftereffect of King Bruhadrajan in Krutha Yuga. Amid the Dwapara Yuga Lord changed all Devas into honey bees to shield them from the provocation of evil spirit Vruddhasura. Ruler additionally exhorted the Devas to make colonies in the sanctum and worship Him. As honey bees adored here the Lord is named Madhuvaneswarar (Madhu in Sanskrit means nectar), Mother as Madhuvana Nayaki and the spot as Madhuvanam. There are honey bees around the spot even now however they don't hurt anyone.

Significance

Ruler Shiva in the temple is a swayambulingamurthy. All celebrations said above are sorted out by Sri Madhuvaneswara Swami Vazhipattu Kazhagam, a body committed to praising every bubbly occasion. It is trusted that those showering in the sacrosanct spring in Masi Month-February-March and worshiping the Lord will increase all advantages in life and those adoring on Ekadasi days-eleventh day of full moon or new moon days and pradosha days-thirteenth day in both fortnights will reach Moksha-salvation.

Festivals

Vaikasi Visakam in May June, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai festivals are celebrated with procession of Lord. Other festivals are Guru Puja for Saint Sundarar in Aadi Swati star day in July-August; monthly pradoshams and Shivrathri and all Shiva related auspicious days.

Prasad & Offering

It is believed that those bathing in the sacred spring in Masi Month-February-March and worship the Lord will gain all benefits in life and those worshipping on Ekadasi days-11th day of full moon or new moon days and pradosha days-13th day in both fortnights will reach Moksha-salvation.Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer vastras.

Near By Temple

Ponvaithanaathar
Swarnapureeswarar
Padaleswarar
Satchinathar
Sarguna Nathar
Kaichinneswarar

Accessibility

Air

The closest airports are in Chennai and Trichy.

Rail

The closest railway station is n Nannillam

Road

Nannilam is 16 km from Tiruvarur on the Mayiladuthurai route. The temple is in the heart of the town.

Temple Address

Sri Madhuvaneswarar Temple,
Nannilam-610 105,
Tiruvarur district.