96. SRI GNANAPARAMESWARAR SWAMY TEMPLE AT NAALUR MAYANAM (THIRUMEIGNANAM)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	213th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	96th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

The Sanskrit word “Chaturvedi Mangalam” refers to the four Vedas. It is believed that the personified forms of these four Vedas worshiped the lord here. In Tamil this place is referred to as “Naal Vediyur” (“Naal” means four). Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, they can become Vedic scholars.

There are four temples in the name of “Mayaanam” (burial ground) - they are

(1) Kachi Mayaanam (Kanchipuram),

(2) Veezhi Mayaanam (Thiruvizhimizhalai)

(3) Kazhi Mayaanam (Sirkazhi) and

(4) Naalur Mayaanam (this temple).

The historical names of this place are Chaturvedi Mangalam, Thirumayanam and Thirumeignanam.

People who worshipped here:

Lord Mahavishnu, Brahma, the four Vedas, Aabasthamba Maharishi and Saint Thirugnanasambanthar have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        It is believed that a snake comes to this temple occasionally and wraps itself around the head of Shivalingam. Interestingly, while prising the lord of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentions the following line - “Paaloorum malai paampum panimadhiyum…..”. This means that the lord here is seen with a big snake.

·        Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also mentioned in his hymn that whoever prays to this lord will be freed from his past sins.  He would also be freed from the cycle of death and rebirth and will reach the lord’s abode.

·        The sanctum sanctorum is in the shape of a square and its tower (“vimanam”) is hemispherical.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Gnanaparameswarar, Sri Mayanathu Paramaswamy, Sri Mayanathu Moolathanathu Peruman
Ambal	Sri Gnanambigai
Theertham	Gnana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

BELIEF:

Devotees pray to the lord here for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals. They also pray to the lord such that they may be blessed with success in their educational pursuits and prosperity in their lives. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Naalur Mayanam is situated at a distance of about 16 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Kudavasal route (Via Thirucherai). After reaching Kudavasal, take diversion road from Athikadai bridge to Naalur and proceed further for about 2 kms to reach this place.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Gnanaparameswarar Swamy Temple,
Thiru Naalur Mayaanam (Thirumeignanam),
Inchikollai Via, Thirucherai,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjure,
Tamil Nadu - 612 605.

LOCATION: