Shiva Nandeeswarar Temple

Overview

This is the 18th Shiva temple in Thondai Mandalam region praised in Thevaram hymns. This temple is 1000-2000 years old. In his Thevaram hymn, saint Tirugnanasambandar describes the mastery of Lord Shiva as a singer, dancer and wearing serpent ornaments. Yet He holds a begging bowl and resides in a Kalli forest praised by devotee scholars.

About The Temple

The temple is located on the banks of River Kuchasthala. A lamp is ever burning in the shrines of Lord and Mother that never extinguishes. As Brugu worshipped Lord with Kalli flowers, He is also named Tirukalleeswarar and the place Tirukallil. Lord Sri Balasubramanya’s shrine is in between those of Lord and Mother, as he granted darshan to Sage Agasthya. This is called Somaskanda form. Lord Balasubramanya-Muruga is holding the Japamala in the right hand and the theertha Kalasa – water pot- in the left with the attributes of Lord Brahmma. Nandhi in the temple has its own significance. Lord is named after him as Shiva Nandi Easwarar and the sacred spring Nandi Theertham. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Sundara Vinayaka. The Vimana-tower above the sanctum sanctorum is known as Gajabrushta Vimana. Lord Sundara Vinayaka and Sri Anjaneya are in the prakara while serpent deities-Nagar and Navagrahas the nine planets are under the gooseberry tree. Those who have lost their belongings perform abishek to Bhairava with Chilli powder hoping to get them back and perform abishek with milk after recovery.

Thala Virutcham

Kalli

Theertham

Nandi Theertham

About The Deity

Lord Shiva appears in the temple as ‘Shakti Dakshinamurthy’ in separate shrine. He is holding the Nectar Pot and the palm leaves in His left hands embracing Mother Anandavalli. Sage Brugu is nearby worshipping the Lord. The temple has other deities are Sundara Vinayagar, Bala subramaniar, Sakthi Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, Durga, 4 nayanmars and Suryan.

Legend and Stories

Sage Brugu has the habit of worshipping Lord Shiva only. He went to Mount Kailash to worship the Lord. Lord was with Mother Parvathi. The sage worshipped Lord only ignoring Mother which hurt Her. Mother sat very close to Lord to make the sage worship her also. But the sage took the form of a fly and circumambulated Lord Shiva only. To teach the sage a lesson that Shiva and Shakti are but one, Lord granted darshan in the Arthanareeswara form – half male and half female. Yet, the sage still thought that Shiva alone was supreme. The sage then came down to earth on a pilgrimage and reached this place. He worshipped the Shivalinga once worshipped by Sage Agasthya with Kallil flowers. Lord Shiva told the sage that Shiva and Shakti were inseparable and one power alone could not act. Lord kept Mother on His lap. The sage understood the truth. The sage begged the pardon of Ambica for his folly. Too pleasant with the prayer of the sage, Mother said that he would always be in a state of bliss – Anandam. Hence, as bliss boon giver, Mother is called Anandavalli. Mother’s shrine is facing east left of Lord’s shrine. The left hand of mother shows Her feet while the right is assuring the devotees of all prosperities.

Saint Tirugnanasambandar continued his pilgrimage from Tiruvenbakkam. On the way, he left puja items on the banks of Kuchasthalai River and went for a bath but could not find them on return. When he came to this place, he found the baggage intact near the Swayambulinga. Lord told Sambandar that he brought the baggage to make him visit this place. Sambandar sang in praise of Lord. Another Legend says, The ground level of north went deeply down due to the weight of the crowd gathered to witness the wedding Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. Lord Shiva asked sage Agasthya to go to south to balance the earth level equally. Sage Agasthya implored the Lord that He should grant him the wedding darshan at any place he asks for. The sage was relaxing at Tirupalaivanam. Lord appeared in the dream of the sage and showed this place. Lord Shiva granted not only His wedding darshan but also the Somaskanda darshan along with Lord Muruga. Agasthya prayed to Lord that this darshan should ever be available to all devotees. Granting the boon to Sage Agasthya, Lord Shiva rose from here as Swayambu Linga and assumed the name Shiva Nandi Easwara.

Festivals

Tirukarthikai in November-December, Mahashivrathri in February-March, Skanda Sashti in October-November and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals of the temple.

Thanksgiving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord Shiva, Mother Anandavalli and Lord Dakshinamurthy offering vastras.

Significance

Couples separated for some reason or other pray to Lord Dakshinamurthy by archanas with Kalli flowers for re-union. People also pray for removal of obstacles in wedding proposals, freedom from poverty and all family welfare and prosperity.

Accessibility

The nearest airport is at Chennai. The nearest railway station is at Tiruvallur. Kannikaiper is 36 km from Chennai on Periapalayam route. The temple is 4 km from Kannikaiper. Autos or cabs can be hired from here to reach the temple. Kannikaiper can be reached from Tiruvallur also via Periapalayam.

Temple Address

Sri Shiva Nandeeswarar Temple,
Tirukallil,
Tirukandalam-601 103,
Oothukottai Taluk,
Tiruvallur district.