Sri Nithyasundarar Temple, Thirunedunkalam, Trichy - 275 Shiva Temples

08. Sri Nithyasundarar Temple, Thirunedunkalam, Trichy (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Nidhya Sundareswarar, Sri Nedungalanathar, Sri Nithyasundarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Oppilla Nayaki, Mangala Nayaki
Holy water (Theertham) : Agastya Theertham, Sundara Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Arali, Kasthuri.
Thevaram : Thiru Gnana Sambandhar
District : Tiruchirapalli.
Location : Trichy.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m

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This is the 08th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thirunedungalam is a village located near Trichy city in Tamil Nadu state of South India. It has an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This lesser known temple is considered as the eighth among the Tevara Paadal Petra Stalams (274 most important temples of Lord Shiva) located in Chola country south of Kaveri river. The nearest popular site is Thiruverumbur.

Important Features:

Sambandar has sung the hymn of the Lord in this site.
The sanctum sanctorum has two vimanas which is rare.
Yoga Dakshinamurthy idol in this temple is a rare one.
A Chola period temple - might be 1000 years old.
The suthai sculptures are depicting the story of this temple in Rajagopuram.
Valampuri Vinayagar Sannadhi is slightly tilted towards north.

As per the legend, Lord Shiva took the form of a burglar and playfully scared the Goddess who was doing penance in this site.

The little known temple of Nedunkulanathar has two towers, one at the main entrance and another at the inner entrance. The area between both the towers has the flag post, Nandi mandapa and a wide bali peetha.

The sanctum santorum has a small Shiv Linga named as Nedunkulanathar. It is believed that the Goddess Parvati is also present in the same shrine but in invisible form. Hence, this shrine has two vimanas. It is said that apart from Kasi, this is the only site having two vimanas.

The west facing temple has two prakaras. The Goddess Oppila Nayaki is very beautiful as per her name. She is found with four arms and in the standing posture in a separate shrine with a pillared mandapa on the front side. The shrine is found on the left side of Nandi mandapa.

The wall surrounding the main shrine has an interesting Goshta idol of Yoga Dakshinamurthy - a rare form of Dakshinamurthy found in Padmasana. The other Goshta idols include Ardha Nareeswarar, Durga and Chandikeshwarar.

The prakara has a lot of idols and few sub shrines. Some of the idols found are Surya, Chandra, Bhairava, 2-3 Shiv Lingas, two Sapta mata idols, two Chandikeshwara idols, Nalvar and Varadaraja with his consorts.

Some of the sub-shrines in the temple include Ganesha, Subramanya with his consorts, Varadaraja with his consorts, Bhairava and Nataraja-Sivakami.

Navagraha in this temple is a unique one. All eight grahas face lord surya who is west faced here. Normally surya is east facing. So there is a difference in the arrangement of the nine planets.

Normal arrangement of 9 grahas

Angaragan - sukran - Chandran
Guru - suryan - Budhan
Ragu - sani - kethu

Each graha face different directions.

Sivagama prathishta
Budhan - Chandran - ragu
Angaragan - suryan - Sukran
Sani - guru - kethu

History / Legend:

The temple is facing west with its two prakaras. The tank is before the temple. There is no tower at the front entrance. It is at the second entrance with aesthetic sculptures. Shrines of Lord Somaskanda and Chandrasekhara are in the southeast of inner corridor. Saptha Kannikas, Lord Dakshinamurthi and Aiyanar shrines are in the southern prakara with a shrine for Lord Valampuri Vinayaka in the Kanni Mooa corner. Shrine of Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai is in the west prakara. The Shrine of Lord Varadaraja Perumal with His Upa Nachiars is on the southern side and that of Sage Agasthya is in the north. The Agasthya Theertham is ever perennial. Shrine for Mother Ambika is in the northeast corner of the outer prakara with a Wedding Hall – Tiru Kalyana Mandapam.

Mother Parvathi graces in the temple formless in the sanctum sanctorum, hence there are two towers above. This is the only temple in this form next to Kasi-Varanasi in India. It is noteworthy that procession deity Lord Somaskanda does not have His right thumb. It is said that an angry king cut it when he deposed as a witness in disguise to protect a devotee, according to puranas. The antiquity of the temple dates back to 1500 years. Four Saivite Saints and Saint Arunagirinathar had sung the glory of the Lord of the temples in their hymns.

It is noteworthy that Surya Puja is devotionally performed in the temple from Aadi 7 to 12 – July-August.

Devotees know that Lord Shiva is praised as Artha Nareeswara as He had parted His left part with Mother Parvathi. While Lord Shiva is seen occupying the central space in the sanctum sanctorum in temples, He is on a siding to the right leaving the left for Mother Ambica. Though the sanctum has only a Shiva Linga, it is the belief that Mother too is in – formless. Tiru Nedungalam in Tamil means a vast place in plains. Mother Parvathi performed penance here. Lord, in appreciation of Her worship came in disguise and took Her hands.

Devotees pray for wedding and child boon and for excellence in education. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother offering Vastras-clothing.

Location: Trichy to Mangavanam town bus from Trichy bus stand passes through this temple. Frequency is very limited. From Chatram bus stand buses available up to Vazhavanthan Kottai, from there it will be about 2 km (After Thuvakkudi). Frequency is very limited and this option may not be suitable. Buses are available up to Thuvakkudi. From there autos available for the temple.