Nedungalam is at a distance of 4 kms from Thuvakkudi on Trichy-Thanjavur route. Thuvakkudi is about 17 kms from Trichy and 42 kms from Thanjavur. It is a Paadal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri revered by shaiva saint Sambandhar. Thirunedumangalam means vast plains in Tamil. This place has been described as Nedungalamaanagar in Thevaram which means a large city. But now it's only a village. Original temple must have existed even before the 7th century. The present structure may be about 1500 years old. Sambandhar has praised this place as “Edar Kalaiyum Pathigam” (The hymn that removes obstacles). There are stone inscriptions dating back to Chola, Pandya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara kings. In all these, the Lord is praised by various names.
Moolavar: Shri Nedungalanathar, Shri Nityasundareshwarar
Devi: Shri Managalanayaki, Shri Oppilanayaki
Utsavar: Shri Somaskandar
Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva and Kaner in Marathi
Sacred Teertha: Agastya Teertha and Sundara teertha
Puranik Name: Thirunedungulam
Kshetra Purana:
The kshetra purana is the same as the purana we have mentioned in our earlier blog about Somaskanda.
According to the Purana, when Goddess Parvati was performing penance at this place, Lord Shiva came as a thief to play a prank. As Goddess Parvati was frightened, she hid in the garden of Thazhai plants (Ketaki plants) at a place called Olimadhicholai near this place. Later Lord Shiva identified himself to her and took her to Mount Kailash.
According to Purana, Sage Agastya worshiped at this place creating the sacred teertha Agastya Teertha.
According to Sthala Purana, Lord Shiva granted darshan in his wedding attire to the chola king Vanikya Chola who was his staunch devotee, hence Lord Shiva is praised as Nitya Kalyan Sundareshwarar.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Sage Agastya
Special Features:
1.This kshetra is considered to be equal to Kashi.
2. Saint Sambandhar has rendered a Padigam at this place.
3. One of the Naayanmaars named Saint Ayyadigal, Kadavarkon has praised the Lord of this temple in his hymns. He is believed to have lived before Appar and Sambandhar which makes this temple more than 2000 years old.
4. The idol of Yoga Dakshinamurti is unique.
5. The idol of Somaskanda is unique.
6. The rays of Sun fall on the Shiva linga from seventh to twelfth day in the Tamil Month of Aadi.
7. The Sapta Matrikas are housed in two places namely one in the corridor as idols and in another place on an engraved slab.
8. In the Navagraha shrine, Lord Surya faces the west with his two wives and rest of the planets face Lord Surya.
9. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.
10. There is an artistic stone grinder (Ukhal in Marathi) of Chola period in the temple.
About the temple:
The temple is spread over two acres. It is a west facing temple with two prakarams. There is no rajagopuram at the first entrance. There is a five tiered Rajagopuram at the second entrance. In between the two entrances, there are dhwajastambha, Nandi mandap and a large balipeeth. At the entrance of the sanctum there are shrines of Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka. The temple tank is at the front. This is an unique kshetra and there are two towers (Viman) above the sanctum of Lord Shiva. In this shrine Lord Shiva is supposed to have given his left part to Ambika i.e. Ardhanaareeshwarar. There is no idol of Ardhanaareeshwarar, hence shiva linga itself represents Ardhanaareeshwarar. Ambika is supposed to be present as Arupa (formless) in the shiva linga itself. Therefore the shiva linga is not centered. It is believed that Lord Shiva moved slightly away to accommodate Ambika. This type of arrangement of two Vimanas above Lord’s sanctum is found only in Kashi. The rays of Sun fall on the shiva linga on the seventh and twelfth day in the Tamil month of Aadi. The koshtha murtis are Lord Yoga Dakshinamurti, Lord Ardhanarishwarar, Goddess Durga. Chandikeshwarar shrine is near Goddess Durga. Lord Dakshinamurti is in Padmasana. Shrine of Lord Vinayaka is in the southwest corner of the Sanctum and is known as Kanni Vinayaka. Ambika Oppilnayaki is in a separate shrine in the northeast corner of outer prakaram. The idol is very beautiful just like the name (no parallel). She is in a standing posture with four hands. Her shrine is to the left of Nandi Mandap. Her shrine has a pillared mandapam at the front. The Thirukalyan Mandap (wedding hall) is near her shrine. In the southeast corner of inner prakaram we come across the shrines of Lord Somaskandar and Lord Chandrasekhar. In the southern prakaram we come across shrines of Sapa Matrika, Lord Dakshinamurti, and Ayyanar.
Shrine of Lord Subramanya is in the west parikrama. He graces along with his consorts. On the south side we have Shri Varadaraj Perumal with his consorts. on the north side we have the shrine of Sage Agastya. In the inner parikrama we have the shrine of Lord Bhairav and shrine of Lord Nataraja with Goddess Shivagami. In the prakaram we come across the idols and shrines of Jyeshtha Devi, Appu, Vayu and Kupu lingams, Navagraha, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Lord Kalabhairav, Shaiva Saints Naalvar and Shekkizhar. There are two sapta matrikas, two Chandikeshwarars and Goddess Varahi. Near the Agastya Teertha there is a separate shrine for Sage Agastya.
The procession idol of Somaskandar does not have a right thumb. It is believed that the right thumb was cut off by the king as a punishment for giving a false statement as a witness in a case.
Prayers:
1. Devotees believe reciting the Edar Kalayum Padigam at this place will remove all obstacles.
2. Devotees worship in this temple for child boon.
3. Devotees worship Goddess Varahi for removal of obstacles in marriage. They make an offering of Turmeric powder grounded in the stone grinder at this place to Goddess Varahi.
Poojas:
1. Six rituals daily
2. Special poojas on the birth nakshatra of Shaiva saint Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikvasagar.
3. Pradosha pooja, special poojas on Fridays of Tamil month of Aadi.
Some important festivals:
Aani (June-July): Vinayak Chaturthi
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Timing: 6.30 am to 12 noon and 4.30 pm to 8 pm
Address: Sri Nedungalanathar Temple, at post Thirunedungulam, via Thuvakkudi, Taluka and District: Trichy, TN 620015
Phone: +91-4312520126
Contact number of priest: Shri Ramesh Gurukkal - 9578894382 and 9842028774
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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