Nellivaneshvarar Temple

Overview

This Shivastalam in a picturesque locale in the vicinity of Tiruvarur is one of the 5 'Kavu' shrines, the others being Tirukkodikka, Tirukkolakka, Tirukkurakkukka and Tiruvaanaikka. This shrine is regarded as the 117th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola Region south of the river Kaveri. This paadal petra sthalam is situated 13 Kilometres from Tiruvarur in the south direction. Other paadal petra sivasthalams in the vicinity are Tirukollili, Tirukkaichinam, Tirukkaraayil. One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams.Half a kilometres from the Thirunellikka railway station. Lord of the temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is the 117th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery adulated in Thevaram songs. Rulers Brahma and Vishnu, Sun, Moon, Sani Bhagwan, Gandharvas and trees of the divine world had venerated Lord Shiva in this temple.

About the Temple

Rajaraja, Rajendra and Uttama Chola are associated with this shrine. .The sanctum faces west, and the temple has a five tiered Rajagopuram. The sun's beams at dusk light up the sanctum twice every year for seven days, initiating on Deepavali in the Dakshinayanam and the eighteenth day of Pisces in Uttarayanam. The Bhrama Theertham tank is to the south of the temple while the Surya theertham is to the north.

A five tiered 80 feet high Rajagopuram adorns the entrance to this temple which has 3 prakarams. The 12 pillared hall in the outer prakaram has paintings related to the stalapuranam of the temple.The rays of Sun fall on the Lord for a week from the 18th of Tamil month Masi (February-March) and for a week from the Krishna paksha Chathurthasi of the Tamil month Ayppasi during the evenings when Surya Puja is performed in the temple. Devotees pray here for removal of delays in marriage, for child boon, conquering anger and cure from leprosy. The Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai.

Legend/Story

There are five heavenly trees in the divine world as Parijatha, Karpaga, Saanthanam, Hrichandan and Mandhara equipped for offering any wish the aficionado anticipates. This force did right by them and developed to the degree of embarrassing awesome Rishi Durvasa as well. He reviled the trees to end up gooseberry trees on earth whose organic products would be citrus in taste as tamarind. With all His benevolence, Lord Shiva conceded them alleviation from the condemnation and empower them return back to their place. He additionally gave this Nelli-gooseberry tree a significance among trees. These trees in this way got to be fortunate of serving the Lord. As Lord stayed under the Nelli tree, He came to be lauded as Nellivana Nathar and spot as Tiru Nellikka. A staunch Shiva lover living in Tiruvarur resulted in these present circumstances spot to love Lord. He saw that wild mammoths in the spot living respectively in amicability and the Devas from the heavenly world visit the temple every day and turn back before first light. He educated the matter to the Chola lord. The lord went to the spot, cured the area crushing the woodlands, made a city and manufactured an awesome temple. Amala in Sanskrit implies Gooseberry, the hallowed tree of the temple. Thus, Lord is otherwise called Amalakesan. The Chola lord who assembled the temple was additionally alluded to as Amalakesa Chola.
Amala Kesa Chola's child Uthama Chola and his wife Paduma Malai went to the temple and adored Lord Shiva looking for kid aid. Mother Bharathi as an offspring of three years showed up there and sat on the ruler's lap. A voice from the sky told the King that Mother Herself had come to him as the tyke and ought to be named Mangala Nayaki. The ruler took after the exhortation loyally. After Uthama Chola's end, youngster Mangala Nayaki became under the mother's consideration and accomplished the eligible age. While venerating at the Tiruvarur temple one day, Mangala Nayaki heard the voice of Lord advising her that He would come to Tirunellikka on the first Friday of Aavani-August-September and wed her. Ruler came to Tirunellikka and married Mangalanayaki in the midst of droning of Vedas. The beams of Sun fall on the Lord for a week from Masi 18 (February-March) on the Lord amid the nights when Surya Puja is performed in the temple. The gainful impacts men and ladies get in different spots by prudence of their introduction to the world, venerates, musings and passing are accessible to them in this single sacred area and temple.

Festivals

The first great 10 day Chithirai festival is celebrated in April-May. Aavani Mother Wedding Festival on the first Friday; Navarathri in September-October; Sashti in Aipasi-October-November; Thai Poosam and Dheep festival (Tiru Vilakku Puja) on last Thai Friday in January-February are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

Master Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in this west-bound temple. The beams of Sun fall on the Lord for a week in Masi-February-March amid the nighttimes when Surya Puja is performed in the temple. Devotees pray here for evacuation of postponements in marriage, for tyke shelter, overcoming outrage and cure from sickness. Perform abishek to Lord and Mother with Vastras and contribute for the remodel of the temple.

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