Sri Arulsomanathar Temple, Thiruneedur, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

21. Sri Arulsomanathar Temple, Thiruneedur, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Arul Somanatheswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Aadhithya Abayaprathambigai, Sri Vedhanayagi, Sri Veyurutholoammai
Holy water (Theertham) : Senkazhuneerodai.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Magizhamaram (Bakula).
Thevaram : Tirunavukarasar ; Sundarar
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m.

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This is the 21st sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Saints Appar and Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Needur has been mentioned in ancient Sangam literature (Akanaanooru), and its richness and natural wealth have been described by Sundarar and Appar. It is believed that this shrine will remain indestructible through the great deluge (hence Needur). This Shivastalam is located at a distance of 1 km from the Needur railway station near Mayiladuturai. Tiruanniyur, another Shivastalam is located in the vicinity. Needur is considered to be the 21st amongst the Tevara Shivastalams located North of the river Kaveri.

Lords Sivalokanathar, Kailasanathar, Kasi Viswanatha, Ananda Thandavamurthy, Chinamayananda Vinayaka, Muruga and Saptha Kannikas are in shrines in the prakara. Lord Nataraja is in Sudha form. Siddhi Vinayaka graces the devotees from His shrine. The vimana in the sanctum sanctorum is of Irudala design.

History / Legend:

Due to his sins, a demon Manmasudhan was born as a cancer (nandu in Tamil). He sought advice from Mahrshi Narada for relief. As advised, he came to this place, bathed in Cauvery and worshipped Lord Shiva. Pleased with his penance, Lord granted darshan to him. To facilitate his merger with Him, Lord also made a hole in Himself. Nandu entered into the Linga through the hole and got merged with Lord. The hole is visible on the Linga.

Sun God had worshipped Mother Veyuru Tholi Ammai in this temple. As Sun-Aditya worshipped, She is praised as Aditya Varada Ambika. Planet Saturn is opposite AmbiKa shrine facing east. The devotee can have the darshan of Mother and Saturn simultaneously for removal of the adverse aspect of the planet. There is no Navagraha-9 planets- shrine in the temple. Mother Badrakali in a separate shrine had worshipped Lord in the temple.

As a rule in Hindu customs, people worship Lord Vinayaka before commencing any work. They then have to follow the advice of elders. Lord Vinayaka in the temple is considered elder, experienced and adviser. The three aspects are praised as Chintamani Vinayaka, Selva Maha Vinayaka and Shivananda Vinayaka. Any one starting a business prays to Vinayaka in this temple for profitable results.

A soldier Munayaduvar by name had an army himself and was assisting Kings in their battles. He spent the income thus earned for the maintenance and renovation of the temple and to serve Shiva devotees. Lord Shiva granted Darshan to Munayaduvar and placed him one among the 63 saivite nayanmars. Besides having his own shrine, he is also the procession deity in the temple. Guru Puja for him is celebrated on the Poosam star day in the month Panguni-March-April and taken in procession.

Needur in Tamil means eternal place. As this place could not be destroyed even at the end of the world by the great floods-pralaya, it is named Needur. The other names of the place are Vagularanyam and Magularanyam.

Indira the king of Devas could not get a Shiva Linga for his worship in the morning hours when he once came to earth. He gathered the sand from Cauvery, made a Linga for his worship. He also sang a melodious song seeking the dance darshan of the Lord. Lord was pleased with his devotion and granted the darshan he desired and is praised with name Gana Nardana Sankara – Lord who danced to a devotional song. When he left the place, Indira left the Linga made by him here. His finger symbols are visible on the Linga.

Those facing delays in wedding matters, concerned with the welfare of children, seeking pardon for wrongs done pray for solutions.

Location: Located 3 Kms from Mayiladuthurai in the north direction. Town bus services to Needur are available from Mayiladuthurai.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Arulmighu Arutsomanatheswarar Temple
Tiruneedur
Nidur Post
Mayiladuthurai Taluk
Nagapattinam District
PIN 609203
Phone: 04364 - 250 424 ; 250 142 ; 99436 68084.