Shri Jambukeshwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is located at NalliCheri (NandiMangai) on Tanjavur-Kumbhakonam route near Papanasam.

This, around 1200 years old temple, is part of various groups of temples. It is one of the Sapta Sthana temples around Chakrapalli. This is also one of the Sapta-Mangai Sthala where Shri Parvati Devi along with Sapta-Matrikas performed Sharad NavaRatri puja. This temple is associated with Shri Vaishnavi, one of the Sapta-Matrika.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri Jambukeshwarar, Shri JambuNathar 

Devi (Consort): Shri Akhilandeshwari

Kshetra Vruskha: Jambul tree (Java Plum or Indian blueberry)

Sacred Teertha: DevaKartha Teertha, and a well near Shri Shiva's shrine.

Old name: NandiMangai

Taluka: Papanasam 

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

Though the temple is facing the west, one has to enter the temple from the south. The kshetra is believed to be mukti-kshetra like Kashi. Hence the temple faces a cremation ground.

Other shrines and deities:

Shri Parvati Devi's shrine is facing the south and her idol is in standing posture. There is a separate shrine for Shri VishnuDurga. At the entrance we have idols of Shri Vinayaka.

Legends (Kshetra Puran):

Maata Vaishnavi is believed to have visited this place along with Shri Parvati Devi on the 4th day of NavaRatri. They had darshan of lord's feet and Shri Nandidev, who was near the lord's feet. They had darshan of the anklet (Kazal in Tamil) on Shri Shiva's feet and hence the darshan is known as Shiva-Kazal darshan.

Once the anklet of Shri Shiva brushed against Shri Nandidev. By its mere touch Nandi was excited to such an extent that he thought how much he would have felt blessed if the Lord's feet were to touch him directly. In order to get that bliss, Shri Nandidev worshiped Shri Shiva with 1008 pradosha pooja at this place. Pleased with his devotion, lord placed his feet on Nandi's head. Nandi also did penance at this place and got Panchakshara Upadesh which he could not get at Thiruvarur.

A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Shri AdiParaShakti as a kumarika.

Special feature: On SankataHaraChaturthi in the Tamil month on Panguni (March-April), the rays of the sun fall on the idol of Shri Ambika.

Festival in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival 

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

Courtesy : Various websites and blogs