Sri Neeneri Nathar Temple

Overview

One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams. In the Thiruvarur – Thiruthuraipoondi road, a 3 kilometres diversion from Alathambadi towards Chithaaimur will take us to this temple. Ponnirai, 6 kilometres west of this town, adjacent to the Alathambadi railway station, is the place where Lord Shiva gave one gold coin everyday to the Chettiar’s wife. The temple's Lord is commended in the psalms of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar.This is the 110th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery applauded in songs. Puja of Arivaldaya Nayanar is praised on the Arudra star day in the month of Thai-January-February.

Legend/Story

The staunch confidence of those anguish from sickness that their cure is a conviction in the event that they ask in this temple. It is foremost that Mother Ganga, generally on the head of Lord Nataraja is at His feet in this temple. Chola ruler Kochengannan assembled various Mada sanctuaries for Lord Shiva. He was tainted with sickness once. He went by many templeses petitioning Lord Shiva for cure yet futile. Ruler Shiva exhorted the lord in a voice to go to a spot where a stone bull will eat grass. When he resulted in these present circumstances temple with a festoon of grass for Lord, the Nandhi (Stone Bull) pulled the wreath and ate it. Ruler reviewed the guidance of Lord Shiva. His malady vanished. Lord did numerous redesigns to the temple.

There was a town named Kannamangalam 2 km north of Thandalacherry. This spot is currently called Kannandangudi, commended as the thriving capital of the Chola kingdom. This likewise has the conception's pleasure spot of Thayanar of Velalar-ranchers group. He was exceptionally kind to all Shiva fans. It was his central goal to offer Samba rice (a rich mixed bag of rice) with Palak-Keerai in Tamil and mango pickles as nivedhana to Lord each day. Despite the fact that he had contributed for some remodels in the temple, as he would like to think this nivedhana involved all need. His wife additionally joined Nayanar in the love.

Neediness entered his life. That couldn't unsettle him. A business once, he turned into a homestead representative himself and utilized the pay for the nivedhana administration of Lord. As the pay rice went to the Lord, he and his wife had just the palak-keerai in Tamil for their sustenance. That likewise missed the mark. They lived on simple water yet were happy that they earned the rice for the Lord. Once, when Nayanar was conveying the nivedhana to Lord, as they were depleted due starvation, his wife tumbled down and when Nayaran protected her, the wicker container of nivedhana fell and scattered. As it went waste, Nayanar took the little sickle he had for slicing paddy and spoke the truth to execute him. Stunned by the size of Nayanar's dedication, his wife grasped her Mangal Sutra and cried to Lord to spare her from widowhood. A hand with Rudraksha showed up starting from the earliest stage the Nivedhana fell scattered and held Nayana's hand and kept his endeavor to execute himself. He allowed darshan with Mother Parvathi to Nayanar and his wife. As Nayanar dared to utilize the sickle – Aruval in Tamil, he came to be known as Arival Thaya Nayanar.

Festivals

Guru Puja of Arivaldaya Nayanar is celebrated on the Arudra star day in the month of Thai-January-February.

Significance

Lord in the temple is a swayambumurthi. This is the birth place of Saint Arivaldaya Nayanar, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanmars. Farmers pray here before commencing cultivation. Those suffering from leprosy pray to Lord for a cure after a bath in the sacred spring. Farmers contribute their yields to the temple.

Accessibility

Thandalacherry, 17 km from Tiruvarur can be reached by buses bound to Tiruthuraipoondi.

Nearest Railway Station

Tiruvarur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Address

Sri Neeneri Nathar Temple,
Thandalaicherry,
Velur – 614 715.
Tiruthuraipoondi taluk,
Tiruvarur district.