30. SRI NEELAKANDESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRU PAZHA MANNIPPADIKKARAI (ILUPPAIPPATTU)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	84th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	30th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

In ancient times, this region is believed to have been densely covered with Iluppai trees. This temple’s “sthala viruksham” is also the Iluppai tree. Hence, this place gets the name Iluppaipattu. This temple is situated on the southern banks of the river Manniyaru, also known as Subramanya river. Hence this place is also known as “Pazha Manni Padikkarai” (“pazha” meaning ancient, “Manni” relates to the river and “Padikkari” meaning river bank in Tamil). 

There are a few stone inscriptions here which date back to the periods of Chola King Rajaraja and some kings from the Vijaya Nagara dynasty. The historical names of this place are Madhookavanam and Pazhamanni Padikkarai.  This temple is under the administrative control of the Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam.

Sri Amirtha Kara Valli:

The Pandava brothers stayed in this place for some time. Duryodhana is believed to have poisoned the Brahma Theertham of this temple but Goddess Parvathy removed the poison and replaced it with celestial nectar. Thereafter, Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed the extracted poison in order to save the Pandavas. The tank is also known as “Nachupoigai” (loosely translated as poison pond). Goddess Parvathy here is praised as “Sri Amirtha Kara Valli” (“Amirtham” meaning nectar, “karam” meaning hands and “valli” meaning goddess in Tamil).

It is believed that the Pandavas used to extract oil from the seeds of the Iluppai tree and used it to light lamps here. It is believed that Lord Shiva was so impressed by their meditation that he granted them darshan individually. Each one of them requested the lord that he stay back here to grace all devotees. To appease them, the lord then appeared in the form of five Shivalingams in different locations in this temple’s complex. It is believed that the Paandavas made five separate shrines for these Shivalingams. The shivalingams are named as follows –

1. Sri Neelakandeswarar with Amudhakara Valli worshiped by Dharumar,

2. Sri Padikkarai Nathar with Goddess Mangalambikai worshiped by Arjunan,

3. Sri Mahadeeswarar worshiped by Bheeman,

4. Sri Parameswarar worshiped by Nakulan, and

5. Sri Muktheeswarar worshiped by Sakadevan.

Chola King:

While crossing the river Manniyaru on a boat to reach this temple, he saw an uprooted Iluppai tree floating on the river. He brought that tree to the temple and erected it here. He felt that the oil extracted from its seeds could be used to light lamps here. A beautiful sculpture depicting this incident can be seen on the outside wall of the sanctum sanctorum.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This is east facing temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
·        The shrine of Lord Valampuri Vinayakar, believed to have been worshipped by Draupathi, is in the corridor along with that of “Sri Idampuri Vinayakar”. Worshiping these twin Vinayakars is considered very auspicious. 
·        Generally, in Shiva temples, only one presiding deity will be present. Rarely, there will be two. However, in this temple, there are five shrines for Lord Shiva.
·        Lord Natarajar can be seen here with ten hands and standing on his bull mount surrounded by devas.
·        Lord Dakshinamoorthy can be seen sitting on a bull (Rishabam) below a banyan (Kallala tree). There is a hole connecting his left ear to his right ear.
·        The Lingam worshipped by Bheema has 16 stripes (Shodasalingam). Sri Neelakandeswarar and Sri Padikarai Nathar are given prominance. Nandhi, the bull mount of Lord Shiva can be seen before these two shrines only.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Neelakandeswarar
Ambal	Sri Amudhakara Valli
Theertham	Brahma Theertham, river Manniyaru and river Kollidam
Sthala Vriksham	Iluppai tree

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that by praying to Lord Mahadeeswarar (Shodasalingam) in this temple, they would be blessed with the 16 types of wealth (“Pathinaarum Petru” in Tamil).

Devotees in the fields of astrology and shastras can pray to Sri Muktheeswar. Lord Muktheeswar worshiped by Sakadevan who is believed to be an expert in these fields.

Married women can pray to Goddess Parvathy here for longevity and prosperity of their married life. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	April-May	10-day Brahmotsavam
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai

HOW TO REACH:

Iluppaipattu is located at a distance of about 14 kms from Vaitheeswarankoil on the Vaitheeswarankoil to Thiruppananthal route.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple,
Thiru Pazha Mannippadikkarai (Iluppappattu),
Manalmedu Via,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609 202.

LOCATION: