Thiru Neelakudi Neelakanteswarar

Appar Praised the Lord as one who relieves the pains of the sincere devotee

Markandeya initiated a Seven Village Procession in Chitrai in a thanking gesture to the Lord for extending his life

The Thiru Neelakendaswarar temple in Thiru Neelakudi, an ancient Thevaram Sthalam, 10kms from Kumbakonam, praised by Thirunavukarasar and Thiru Gnana Sambanthar is in a state of flux. Last week, Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam that manages the temple asked the Gurukal who had served there for well over two decades to take a one month break for failing in his duty on the Maha Sivarathri night and the day after. The Gurukal’s father had performed pooja at this temple for 3 decades before his untimely death.  Currently, the temple is without a Gurukal with the Mei Kavalar managing the darshan requirements of the devotees. It is hoped that the temple administration will take the necessary steps to help the Gurukal come out of the addiction.

Legend has it that when Brahmma lost his powers after he set his eyes on Urvasi, he was directed to undertake penance here at Thiru Neelakudi. It was here that he invoked the blessings of the Lord by installing a Shiva Lingam and performing pooja. In memory of this episode, there is a mukthi mandapam inside the temple with a Lingam.

Markendaya performed pooja here invoking the blessings of the Lord to extend his life time. It was after performing pooja here that Markendaya went to Sri Vanchiyam. In a thanking gesture, it is believed that Markendaya himself organised the Sapsthana procession of the Lord from Thiru Neelakudi in Chitrai. This Utsavam is still celebrated in a grand way during the Chitrai Brahmotsavam when the Lord goes on a Kannadi Pallaku to seven villages starting with Elanthurai, Ayyavadi (Enathi Mangalam), Thiru Nageswaram, Thirubhuvanam, Thiruvidaimaruthur and Maruthuvakudi.

Sacred cow Kamadhenu created a tank and bathed here, and performed pooja to cleanse herself from the curse of Sage Vashista.

The Lord is referred to by different names including Manogyanathar, Neelakandeswarar, Kamadenu Pureeswarar, Vilvaaranyeswarar and Brahmmapureeswarar.

There are two Ambal Sannidhis next to each other – Bhakthaapeesta Prathaayini (Azhagaambigai) and Anoopa Masthani (Thava Kola Ammai- Yogic Posture).

A unique feature at this temple is that the stem from the sthala vriksham Vilva Tree comprises of five petals as against the usual three leaves referred to as ‘Pancha Vilvam’.

When Lord Shiva absorbed the poison in the Devas – Asuras battle for securing the nectar from Thiruparkadal, it was ambal who applied a sacred oil on the Lord’s head to stop the poison at his neck (Neela Kanda) and prevent it from consuming his body. To this day, one finds that when oil abhishekam takes place at this temple, one finds the Lord fully absorbing the oil in his body thus cooling himself from the heat of the poison, a special feature at this temple. Hence the Lord is also referred to as ‘Thaila Abhisheka Priyar’.

Praising the Lord of Thiru Neelakudi, Appar says that if one offers his sincere prayers and invokes the blessings of the Lord, one’s difficulties will vanish like a small floating stone in an ocean.    

Festivals

Brahmotsavam in Chitrai including procession to 7 villages in Kannadi Pallakku

The temple is open from 730am -12noon and 5pm-8pm. Contact Kalimuthu Mei Kavalar @ 96269 97271.

How to reach

By Train, one can get down at Aduthurai Railway Station (between Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam) and take an auto ( Rs. 50) to Thiru Neelakudi ( 3 kms from Aduthurai)

One can also reach the temple by taking the Karaikal bound bus from Kumbakonam (10 kms).