Shri Nardhanapureeshwarar Temple at Thalayangadu

This Shiva temple at Thalayangadu is on Thiruvarur-Kumbhakonam route via Kudavasal. This is about 8 kms from Kudavasal, 18 kms from Thiruvarur, 5 kms from Paruvelur, 26 kms from Kumbhakonam, 48 kms from Mayiladuthurai. This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri. During the Tamil Sangam era, the place was known as Thalayankonam which was the battlefield where Pandya King Nedunchezhiyian won the battle against the combined armies of Chera and Chola kings. There are some stone inscriptions dating to the 12th century. This temple was revered by the Shaiva Saint Appar. The temple must have existed before the 5th century. The present structure must be about 1500 years old. 

Moolavar: Shri Nardhanapureeshwarar, Shri Adavallanathar, Shri Nataneshwarar

Devi: Shri Balambika, Shri Umadevi, Shri Thirumadanthi Ammai

Sacred Theertha: Sangu (Conch)

Kshetra Vruksha: Jackfruit, Bilva tree

Puranik Name: Thalayankonam

Present Name: Thiru Thalayangadu

Kshetra Puran: 

1. In our earlier blogs, we mentioned about the Sages in Daruka Vana (Nardhanpoori) in detail. In short it is about how they became highly egoistic and proud which let them believe that they were above Gods. In order to teach them a lesson Lord Shiva as Bhikshadanar (a mendicant) and Lord Vishnu as Mohini (very beautiful enchanting woman) distracted the sages and their wives. Later the sages invoked evil spirits and mantras to destroy Lord Shiva. They created various weapons and elephant, a tiger and a demon named Muyalagan. Lord Shiva destroyed the weapons, killed the tiger and elephant. He wore the skin of a tiger and elephant as his dress. He killed the demon with his feet. He danced on the body of the demon Muyalagan. Hence this place is known as Nardhanapuree. Sages realized their mistake and surrendered to Lord Shiva. 

2. Goddess Saraswati worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and got his darshan as a Jyotirlinga. 

3. In Krita Yuga, Sage Kapila worshiped Lord Shiva and got the divine jewel Chintamani.

4. Shaiva Saint Appar considered this place so sacred that he did not want to place his foot on the soil. It is believed that he traveled to the temple on his head. On the new moon day of Tamil month Thai, Lord Shiva gave him darshan under the sacred Jackfruit tree. Hence the place got the name Thalayangadu.

Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Shanishwar, Goddess Kaali, Goddess Saraswati, Sage Kapila and Shaiva Saint Appar.

Salient Features: 

1. This is one of the places where Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance. 

2. Goddess Saraswati is seen holding a bunch of palm leaves (Oolaichuvadi in Tamil) in her hands instead of a Veena. 

3. The shrine of Lord Shanishwarar is in a hall, in front of Goddess Parvati’s shrine. He is facing the east direction and is considered to be most auspicious. 

4. The rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva Linga for 4 days namely – 30th and 31st of Tamil month Panguni, 1st and 2nd of Tamil month Chitrai. 

5. The front mandap of this temple is in the form of a bat's head. 

6. There is a very old banyan tree in the temple premises. 

7. This is the place where Lord Shiva killed the demon Muyalagan.

About the temple:

This temple was renovated by the Chola kings somewhere during the 8th century. Further addition was done by the Nayaks and Maratha kings. There is a stone inscription dating back to the 7th century. This is a small temple in a small village and is an east facing temple. Rajagopuram is dilapidated. The 2nd Rajagopuram is three tiered. The entrance to the temple is from the south. There is no Dhwajastambha. Nandi is at the entrance to the Sanctum. Nandi Mandap is small. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Ardhamandap. The Vimaan (Shikhar) over the Sanctum is single tiered. The Ardhamandap and the Mandap of Devi are in the form of bat’s head. The 2 main shrines are that of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga. It is very beautiful facing the east. 

Koshta Murtis: Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamurti and Goddess Durga.

The shrines of Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishwanath with Goddess Vishalakshi, Kshetra Vinayaka, Lord Nataraja, Lord Muruga, Goddess Dashabhuja Kaali, Lord Chandikeshwar with Goddess Chandikeshwari, Lord Kaalabhairav, Lord Shanishwarar and Shaiva Saints Naalvar are in the parikrama. The idol of Lord Vinayaka and Goddess Saraswati are at the 1st entrance while another Lord Ganesha known as Lord Pollapillaiyar is at the 2nd entrance of the sanctum. 

Prayers:

1. People worship at this place Lord Shiva and take bath in the sacred tank for getting a child boon. 

2. People take bath in sacred theertha for relief from skin diseases.

3. This is believed to be a parihaar sthala for pitru dosha.

Poojas: Regular daily pooja, special poojas on new and full moon days and Pradosha pooja.

Festivals:

In the Tamil month of Thai, Bramhotsav is held. On Satabhishek Nakshatra in the month of Thai, a guru pooja of Shaiva Saint Appar is held. Special pooja is held on the new moon day of Thai.

Other usual festivals are as follows:

Vaikasi (May-June):  Vaisakhi Vishakha (festival on Vishakha nakshatra)

Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam

Aadi (July-Aug):  Aadi Puram

Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi

Purattassi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Aippassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek and Skandha Shasthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai Deepam festival

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Thai (Jan-Feb): Makara Sankranti and Thai Pusam (festival on Pushya nakshatra)

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri

Timing:  8 - 12 pm and 6 - 8 pm

Address: 

Shri Nardhanapureeshwarar temple, 
Thalayankadu via Sembangudi, 
Taluka: Kudawasal, 
District: Thiruvarur, 
Tamil Nadu: 612 603

Phone:  +91-4366269234

Temple priest: K Vaidyanath gurukkal Ph + 91 9443500235

Courtesy: Various blobs and websites