Sundarar refers to this temple alongside
the temples of Kanjanur, Panaiyar and Nannilam
Commitment of the Gurukal family
Dhandapani Gurukal has been performing for five decades at a salary of a few hundreds. His 82 year old father had performed service at the temple for over six decades at a meager salary. His grand father too had performed pooja for several decades in the early part of the 20th century, such has been the commitment of the family to keep the service going without much of a salary.
Chozha Period Construction
It is believed that Amala Kesa Chozhan built this temple. His son Uthama Chozhan invoked the blessings of Nellivananathar on the Pradosham day seeking a child. Answering his prayers, it is believed that Ambal herself presented before him as a 3 year old child whom Uthama Chozhan accepted as his own. After she grew into a beautiful young girl, she visited the Thyageswarar temple in Tiruvarur. Much to her delight, an invisible voice told her that the Lord himself would come to Thiru Nellikaval and marry her. Accordingly, he came here on the first Friday of Avani and married Mangalambal. This episode of the celestial wedding is enacted every year on the first Friday day of Avani.
It is believed that Amala Kesa Chozhan built this temple. His son Uthama Chozhan invoked the blessings of Nellivananathar on the Pradosham day seeking a child. Answering his prayers, it is believed that Ambal herself presented before him as a 3 year old child whom Uthama Chozhan accepted as his own. After she grew into a beautiful young girl, she visited the Thyageswarar temple in Tiruvarur. Much to her delight, an invisible voice told her that the Lord himself would come to Thiru Nellikaval and marry her. Accordingly, he came here on the first Friday of Avani and married Mangalambal. This episode of the celestial wedding is enacted every year on the first Friday day of Avani.
Being a temple built by Amala Kesa Chozhan, this place is also referred to as Amala Kesa Puram.
In ancient times, this place was referred to as
Panchakshara Moorthy Puram. Thirunathingudi, Thiru Keraveyil, Thiru Thengoor
and Thiru Namasivaya Puram are the other four sacred Saivite temples in this
region and these along with Thiru Nellikaval constitution the Panchakshara
Moorthy Sthalam.
Praise by
Saint Poets
Sundarar refers to Thiru Nellikaval as being South
of Kanjanur and North of Panaiyur with Nannilam being in the middle.
A young Susanma, who later went on to become a
Rishi, was introduced into wrong habits as a result of mixing with wrong
friends. When his father once questioned his wrongful conduct, the young boy
killed his father in anger. Struck with Brahmma Hathi Dosham, he went along
with his mother to Tiruvarur. There he
was requested the learned rishis to direct him on the route to liberation from
the Dosham.
The rishis of Tiruvarur,(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/12/thiruvarur-thyagaraja-temple.html)
who were performing a penance, narrated the story of how Kakasura, chased by the arrow of Lord Rama, came here seeking salvation. After having bath in the Theertham, he invoked the blessings of Lord Shiva and Ambal who directed him back to Lord Rama for liberation.
who were performing a penance, narrated the story of how Kakasura, chased by the arrow of Lord Rama, came here seeking salvation. After having bath in the Theertham, he invoked the blessings of Lord Shiva and Ambal who directed him back to Lord Rama for liberation.
Being the place for liberation from Dosham, the
rishis pointing to the crow’s story asked him to have bath in the sacred five
Theerthams of Thiru Nellikaval. Upon reaching here, he had bath as directed and
performed the Anga Pradakshinam at the temple. After presenting food to the
cow, he invoked the blessings of the Lord and Ambal, upon which he was
liberated from the dosham.
Gandharva’s
arrogance and liberation from disease
Divyarupan, a Gandharva specialized in music, grew
arrogant and presented in ‘abaswaram’. He incurred the wrath of Saptha Matha
and was inflicted with a disease. He was directed to Thiru Nellikaval. Here
after he had finished his bath in the sacred Brahmma Theertham, he was
liberated from his curse when a spot of water from the wet hair of the wife of Susanma
Rishi fell on him while she was in the process of drying her hair.
A special feature of the temple is the five Theerthams. Opposite the Ambal Sannidhi is the Brahmma Theertham.
Sun’s rays
on the Lord
The Sun’s rays fall on the Lord in the evening
between 5.30pm and 6pm between the 18th and 24th day of
Maasi.
‘Kka Kshetrams’
The other four among the ‘Pancha Kka’ Kshetrams are
Thiru Anaikka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/thiruvanaikaval-jambukeswarar.html),
Thiru Kodikka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/11/thiru-kotteeswarar-temple-thiru.html),
Thiru Kolakka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/03/osai-nayaki-thaala-pureeswarar-sirkazhi.html)
and Thiru Kurukka (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/09/thiru-kurukkai-verateswarar-temple_13.html).
Appar's praise
In his praise of the Lord of Thiru Nellikaval, Appar ends each of his verses as Nellikaavul Nilaayavaney.
Chitrai Brahmotsavam with Theerthavari on Chitrai
day
Chitrai Theppotsavam
Maasi – Sun’s rays on the Lord
As Nellikai is the Sthala Vriksham, it is believed
that those offering sincere prayers at this
temple will be blessed with a healthy life.
The temple is open between 630am-1130am and
5pm-8pm. Contact: Dhandapani Gurukal @97861 93292.
How to reach
Buses every 15 minutes from Tiruvarur to
Thiruthuraipoondi. Get down at Four (Cross) Road. From there, an auto to the
temple will cost Rs. 80 (4kms). Contact Auto Ayyappan @ 96557 53604.
Good story. Informative.
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