Nannilam is at a distance of about 30 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Nagore route. It is about 30 kms from Mayiladuthurai and 16 kms from Thiruvarur. The place is also known as Nannilathu Perungkovil. This is one of the 276 Padal Pethra Sthalams on the southern bank of Kaveri. It is one of the Maada Kovil built by the Chola King Kochengatcholan on the bank of river Mudikondan which is a tributary of Kaveri. The present structure is about 1400 years old. This temple was revered by Shaiva Saint Sundarar. The temple must have existed even before the 7th century. There are stone inscriptions in the temple and most of them are in heavily damaged condition.
Moolavar: Shri Madhuvaneshwarar, Shri Brihadeeshwarar, Shri Devaranyeshwarar, Shri Prakashnathar, Shri Kalyansundarar
Devi: Shri PeriyaNayaki, Shri MadhuvanaNayaki, Shri DevakaantharaNayaki
Agama/Pooja: Shiva Agama
Sacred Theertha: Brahma Theertha, Shula Theertha, Deva Theertha, Kongu Theertha and Vengai Theertha
Sacred Vruksha: Bilva Tree
Puranik Name: Sundaravanam, Madhuvanam, Devaaranyam, Brihadpuram, Sundarvani, Shri Nannilathu Perungkovil
Present Name: Nannilam
Kshetra Purana:
1. According to the Purana, during Tretayuga, Devas were harassed by Vruddhasur. Lord Shiva changed all Devas into bees. He advised them to live in beehives around the Sanctum in the temple and worship him. As bees worshiped him he is known as Lord Madhuvaneshwarar. Thus Goddess Parvati is addressed as Madhuvana Nayaki and a place is known as Madhuvan. There are still a number of beehives in the temple, especially in the shrine of Lord Somaskandar and shrine of Lord Shiva.
2. According to the Purana, there was an argument between serpent king Adi Shesha and Lord Vayu about their superiority. This resulted in a trial of strength. Adi Shesha covered 1000 shikhars of Mount Meru and held them tightly. Lord Vayu tried to blow them away with high velocity to free Mount Meru. But he could not get rid of the hold of Adi Shesha and Mount Meru remained solid. At that time the whole world started trembling due to the high velocity of the wind. At the request of Sages and Devas, Adi Shesha relieved the hold on one of the shikhars. At that time Lord Vayu broke the shikhar into small pieces and blew them in the direction of the south to drop them in the sea. On the way, a number of small pieces fell at various places in the south and formed hillocks and hills. It is believed that this temple was built on one such hillock.
3. According to the Purana, during Krutayuga, a king of Somapuri named Brihad did penance at this place. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva gave darshan to him as Tejolinga. The king requested Lord Shiva to create a sacred theertha with his trident and fill it up with water from Ganges. Hence sacred theertha at this place is known as Brihad Theertha and Shula Theertha.
4. According to the Purana, Devas took asylum at this place in the form of women to escape from demon Jalandhasur. They prayed to Lord Shiva with water from Shula Theertha and requested to help them. Pleased by their prayer and worship Lord Shiva vanquished the demon at nearby Thiruvirkudi. Hence this place is known as Devaaranyam and the theertha is known as Deva Theertha.
5. Lord Indra came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva after taking a dip in Shula Theertha. He was relieved of Brahmahatya dosha which he had acquired due to the killing of Vruddhasur.
6. Lord Vishnu had a fierce battle with Jalandhasur with his disc (chakra). The disc had fallen at this place and formed a theertha known as Chakra Theertha.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Brahma, Lord Indra, Lord Varuna, Lord Kubera, Lord Yama, Lord Surya, Devas, Sage Agastya, King Brihad, Adi Shesha.
Salient features:
1. Shaiva Saint Sambandhar has referred to this temple as Nannilathu Perungkovil.
2. Lord Brahma is by the side of Lord Surya.
3. In Navagraha shrine all the idols are facing Lord Surya.
4. Lord Surya and Lord Guru are facing each other.
5. There is a separate shrine for Chitragupta and Lord Shanishwarar.
6. It is very auspicious to take a dip in the Brahma Theertha on the Magha Nakshatra day of Tamil month Maasi.
7. Entrance to the Sanctorum is narrow. We have to climb 18 steps to reach the sanctum of Lord Shiva.
8. There are beehives all around inside the temple as well as Sanctum but they do not harm anyone.
9. Lord Chandikeshwarar is depicted with his wife.
10. It is believed that the Shula Theertha was created by Lord Shiva with his Trishul.
11. There is a separate shrine for Lord Nataraja.
12. In this place Lord Yama is depicted seated in the South direction, Lord Varuna in the West, Lord Indra in the East and Lord Kubera in the North. Each of them have worshiped Lord Shiva by establishing a Shiva Linga.
About the temple:
This is an East facing temple with a two tiered Rajagopuram which is about 30 feet tall with five kalash at the top. At the entrance there is a beautiful sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on Nandi. By their sides we find Lord Subramanya on the left and Lord Ganesha on the right. Besides this, we also find two Bhuta Ganas on either side of Lord Shiva.
The Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga which is on a square avudayar. As this is a Maada Kovil, Lord Shiva is on an upper level. As soon as we enter the temple, we come across Balipeeth and Dhwajastambha.
Koshtha Moortis: Lord Nardana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamoorti, Lord Lingothbhavar, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga and Lord Somaskandar. They are all in a prakaram on a small hillock inside the temple.
Goddess Ambal’s shrine is facing the South and it is on the lower level. In a prakaram below the hillock we have shrines of Lord Siddhivinayaka, Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Chandikeshwarar with his consort. There are Shiva Lingas praised as Agasthiswarar, Brahmapurishwarar, and Shailesh. Besides this there are idols of Lord Bhairav, Surya, Nagas, and Navagraha. There is a shrine of Lord Nataraja near the Sanctum Sanctorum. Except for Lord Dakshinamoorti all the Koshta Moortis are on ground level. There is a separate shrine for Chitragupta and Lord Shansishwarar. There are Shiva Lingas worshiped by Lord Yama (on South), Lord Varuna (West), Lord Indra (East) and Lord Kubera (North), Agastya linga worshiped by Sage Agastya and Brahma linga worshiped by Lord Brahma. There is a bronze idol of Bhoga Shakti in the sanctum of Lord Shiva. We have to climb steps to reach the shrine of Lord Somaskanda, Lord Dakshinamoorti and Lord Nardana Ganapati. Lord Bhairav is by the side of Lord Surya. Lord Shanishwarar is in a separate shrine. The Shula Theertha was created by Lord Shiva with his trident and is located in the north.
Prayers:
1. Devotees believe that by worshiping Lord Shiva at this place they will be cured of all nervous ailments.
2. It is believed that one can attain salvation by worshiping Lord Shiva at this place after taking a dip in the sacred theertha on Ekadashi and Pradosha days.
3. It is believed that by taking a dip in Brahma Theertha, in the Tamil month of Maasi (especially on Magha nakshatra) one’s desires will be fulfilled.
Poojas: Daily rituals for four times in a day. Besides this, regular weekly and fortnightly poojas like Pradosha pooja, new moon day, and full moon day are performed.
Festivals:
Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Vishakham,
Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam,
Aadi (July-Aug): Pooram (Pooja on Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra),
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Shri Ganesh chaturthi,
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri,
Aippassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek and Skanda Shasthi,
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai Deepam,
Marghazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai,
Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar Sankranti and festival on Pushya Nakshatra,
Maasi (Feb-March): Shivaratri
Guru pooja of Sundarar is held on Swati Nakshatra in the month of Aadi. Procession of Lord Shiva’s idol takes place in the month of Karthigai, Vaikasi and Margazhi.
Timing: 7 am to 12 noon, 4 pm to 8.30 pm
Address:
Shri Madhuvaneshwarar Temple,
At-post Nannilam,
Taluka: Nannilam,
District Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu 610105
Phone: +91-9442682346,91-9943209771
Temple Priest: Shri Shivakumar Gurukal - 91-7904374770
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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