71. SRI MADHUVANESWARAR TEMPLE AT NANNILATHU PERUNGKOIL (NANNILAM)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	188th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	71st Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

This place is surrounded by fertile agricultural land; hence it gets the name Nannilam (“Nalla” means good and “nilam” means land in Tamil). The historical names of this place are Sundaravani, Madhuvanam, Devaranyam, Sundaravanam and Bruhathpuram.

This ancient temple is located on the southern bank of the river Mudikondan. This place is referred as Nannilam and the temple is known as “Perungkoil” (big temple). As per stone inscriptions in this temple, the temple was built in the 9th century by Chola King Kochenganan.

Sri Madhuvaneswarar:

Devas were tortured by the demon, Viruthirasuran, in the celestial world. Devas took asylum here and worshiped Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva turned the Devas into bees in order to save them from the demon. The lord made a beehive in the form of a lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum and asked the Devas to stay in it.

 Hence in this place, the lord and the goddess are called as “Madhuvanam”, “Sri Madhuvaneswarar” and “Sri Madhuvana Nayaki” respectively (“madhu” means honey in Tamil). To substantiate this legend, there are still few beehives in this temple, but it is stated that the bees do not harm anyone.

King Bruhathrajan:

Somapuri King Bruhathrajan had performed penanced here in Krutha Yuga. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva blessed him with his darshan in the form of “Tejo Lingam”.

The king requested the lord to make a pond using his trident and fill it with water from the holy Ganges. This theertham is known as Bruhath Gangai and Sula Theertham.

Deva theertham:

The Devas came to this place in the form of women, took asylum and worshiped Lord Shiva. They took asylum in order to protect themselves from the demon Salantharasuran. They offered the water from the Sula theertham to Lord Shiva and prayed for his help. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva vanquished the demon in Virkudi, a nearby place, which is also a Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam, and saved the Devas. Hence this place also gets the name Devaranyam and the theertham is also known as Deva theertham.

Lord Indra:

Lord Indra visited this place and took a dip in the Sula Theertham and worshiped the lord. He was relieved from his “Brahmahathi dosha” which he had accrued due to the killing of demon Viruthirasuran.

Chola King Kochenganan:

Chola King Kochenganan built about 70 “Madakkoils”. The distinguishing feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it. In this temple, there are about 18 steps to reach Lord Shiva’s shrine.

Four Shivalingams:

Four Shivalingams were installed and worshiped at the four corners of this place. These lingams were installed by - lord Yama in South, lord Varuna in West, lord Indra in East and lord Kubera in North.

People who worshipped here:

Lord Brahma, Indra, Suryan, Sage Agasthiyar, Devas (in the form of bees) and Saint Sundarar have worshiped the lord here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple is counted as one of the Maadak Koils built by Chola King Kochenganan.

·        In his hymn, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar mentioned that this temple was built by Kochengat Cholan. He also referred to this temple as “Nannilaththu Perum Kovil”.

·        There are many specialities in this temple such as - Bairavar is located by the side of Suryan; all the idols in the Navagraham are facing the Suryan; Suryan and Guru are facing each other; and Chithra Guptha and Saneeswarar can be seen in separate shrines.

·        It is considered very auspicious to take a dip in the Brahma Theertham during “Masi Maham” in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).

·        It is believed that this temple’s Sthala Viruksham are Vilvam, Kongu, Vengai, Madhavi and Sanbagam. However, now only Vilvam tree can be seen in this temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Madhuvaneswarar, Sri Brahatheeswarar, Sri Devaranyeswarar, Sri Prakasa Nathar
Ambal	Sri Madhu Vana Nayaki, Sri Periya Nayaki, Sri Deva Kaanthara Nayaki
Theertham	Brahma Theertham, Sula Theertham, Deva Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

It is believed that worshiping the lord here will cure one from all kinds of nervous ailments.

It is also believed that one can get salvation by worshiping the lord here during “Ekadasi” (11th day of full moon or new moon days) and “Pradosham” (13th day of full moon or new moon days).

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam
Aani	June-July	Aani Thirumanjanam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Aadi	July-Aug	Saint Sundarar’s Guru Puja on the Aadi Swathi star day
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thiru Karthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Thai	Jan-Feb	Thai Poosam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Nannilam is situated at a distance of about 30 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Nagore route. It can also be reached from Mayiladuthurai (30 kms) and Thiruvarur (17 kms) on the Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur route. Nearest railway station is Nannilam which is 5 kms away from this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Madhuvaneswarar Temple,
Nannilam,
Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu – 610 105.

LOCATION: