Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 199th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 82nd Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
This
temple known locally as Neelayadakshi Kovil, this shrine is one of the 7 Sapta
Vitanka Stalams sacred to Tyagarajar, housing Sundara Vitankar (Paravara Taranga
Natanam). This temple is regarded as one of the 64 Shakti Peethams of
India. Sikkal is
a Shivastalam in the vicinity of Nagappattinam.
Little
of its past glory remains in this vast temple. The Gometaka Lingam representing
Sundara Vitankar was stolen in the recent past.
The
seven Vitankastalams are:
Tiruvarur, Tirukkuvalai, Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tirumaraikkaadu, Tirunaagai, Tirunallaaru and Tiruvaimur.
Pundarika
Munivar ascended to divinity with his mortal body, hence Kaya Aarohanam. The
name Nagappattinam is believed to have been derived from the legend that of
Adiseshan worshipping Shiva there. Adiseshan's daughter is believed to have
married Saaleeswaran, a devotee of Shiva.
The
image of Tyagarajar at Tiruvarur is
the foremost of the 7 from which Indra is believed to have asked Muchukunda
Cholan to pick the original image of Somaskandar worshipped by Mahavishnu. .
Muchukunda Cholan is believed to have picked the right one (the image at
Tiruvarur) , and Indra is believed to have rewarded him with all of the 7
images, which the latter installed at 7 different places within his territory,
and it is these 7 temples which constitute the 7 Vitankastalams.
Sage Pundari:
Lord
blessed his devotee Sage Pundari to attain moksha with his body. The rishi also
asked for moksha for his descendants, and till this date, when anyone from the
sage's family passes away, the body is brought to the temple gate, where the
lord's clothes and garlands are brought to adorn the body, thus blessing it.
Neelayadakshi:
The
goddess here is Neelayadakshi. Neelayadakshi means the one with the blue eyes.
She is in the form of a pubescent girl, and is believed to be one of the Shakti
Peetams. She is also considered to be one among the five most important
goddesses, all in different stages of life. These are - Visalakshi (Kashi -
Child), Kamakshi (Kanchi - young girl), Neelayadakshi (Nagai - pubescent),
Kamalambigai (Thiruvarur - young woman) and Meenakshi (Madurai - married
woman).
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
As with the
other 7 Saptavitanka shrines, there are separate shrines for the
moolavar, Tyagarajar and Ambal.
·
There is a
shriine to Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and Paravai Nachiyar across the hall from
Tyagar, very much along the lines of Tiruvarur nearby.
·
Nagabharana
Vinayakar and Maavadi Vinayakar are the names of Vinayakar here.
·
The Deva
Theertham is to the South of the temple while the Pundarika Theertham is to the
west.
·
Neelayadakshi's
shrine here is of great significance.
·
The bronze image
of Panchamukha Vinayakar is worth mention (as in Tiruvarur and in Vedaranyam).
·
There are
several inscriptions relating to the period of Dutch rule at Nagappattinam, in
this temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Kayarohaneswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
: Karuntadankanni, Sri Neelayadakshi |
|
Theertham |
Pundarika Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Mango Tree |
BELIEF:
People pray for relief
from the sins commited and salvation.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Brahmotsavam |
|
Aani |
June-July |
Panchakrosa
festival |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Pooram celebrates
Ambal's Utsavam for 10 days |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
sivasthalam temple is located in Nagapattinam town. A Divya Desam shrine of
Lord Vishnu is also located at Nagapattinam in the vicinity of Shiva temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri kayaroganeswarar
temple,
Nagaikkaronam ,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
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