the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

It is believed that Lord Suryan worshiped the lord in this temple. According to legend, once the Devas were tortured by the demon, Viruthirasuran, in the celestial world. Devas took asylum here and worshiped Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva turned the Devas into bees in order to save them from the demon. The lord made a beehive in the form of a lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum and asked the Devas to stay in it. Hence in this place, the lord and the goddess are called as Madhuvanam, Sri Madhuvaneswarar and Sri Madhuvana Nayaki respectively (madhu means honey in Tamil). To substantiate this legend, there are still few beehives in this temple, but it is stated that the bees do not harm anyone. Another legend is that Somapuri King Bruhathrajan had performed penanced here in Krutha Yuga. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva blessed him with his darshan in the form of Tejo Lingam. The king requested the lord to make a pond using his trident and fill it with water from the holy Ganges. This theertham is known as Bruhath Gangai and Sula Theertham. Another legend is that the Devas came to this place in the form of women, took asylum and worshiped Lord Shiva. They took asylum in order to protect themselves from the demon Salantharasuran. They offered the water from the Sula theertham to Lord Shiva and prayed for his help. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva vanquished the demon in Virkudi, a nearby place, which is also a Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam, and saved the Devas. Hence this place also gets the name Devaranyam and the theertham is also known as Deva theertham. It is believed that Lord Indra visited this place and took a dip in the Sula Theertham and worshiped the lord. He was relieved from his Brahmahathi dosha which he had accrued due to the killing of demon Viruthirasuran. It is believed that lords Brahma, Indra, Suryan, Sage Agasthiyar, Devas (in the form of bees) and Saint Sundarar have worshiped the lord here. As per Sthala Puranam, four Shivalingams were installed and worshiped at the four corners of this place. These lingams were installed by - lord Yama in South, lord Varuna in West, lord Indra in East and lord Kubera in North.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 71st Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This temple is counted as one of the Maada Koils built by Chola King Kochenganan. This east facing temple’s main tower is not tiered. In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. The historical names of this place are Sundaravani, Madhuvanam, Devaranyam, Sundaravanam and Bruhathpuram. This place is surrounded by fertile agricultural land; hence it gets the name Nannilam (Nalla means good and nilam means land in Tamil). This ancient temple is located on the southern bank of the river Mudikondan. This place is referred as Nannilam and the temple is known as Perungkoil (big temple). As per stone inscriptions in this temple, the temple was built in the 9th century by Chola King Kochenganan. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). Shivalingams worshiped by Lord Brahma (Sri Mahadeva lingam) and Sage Agasthiyar (Sri Agastheeswarar lingam) are in the corridor.The Shivalingams worshiped by lords Yama, Varuna, Indran and Guberan are also present in the corridors.There are many specialities in this temple such as - Bairavar is located by the side of Suryan; all the idols in the Navagraham are facing the Suryan; Suryan and Guru are facing each other; and Chithra Guptha and Saneeswarar can be seen in separate shrines. It is considered very auspicious to take a dip in the Brahma Theertham during Masi Maham in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).It is believed that this temple’s Sthala Viruksham are Vilvam, Kongu, Vengai, Madhavi and Sanbagam. However, now only Vilvam tree can be seen in this temple.It is believed that worshiping the lord here will cure one from all kinds of nervous ailments. It is also believed that one can get salvation by worshiping the lord here during Ekadasi (11th day of full moon or new moon days) and Pradosham (13th day of full moon or new moon days).

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi and Thai Poosam in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). Pradosham is also observed regularly. Saint Sundarar’s Guru Puja on the Aadi Swathi star day in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug) is also celebrated.