the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

There are four temples in the name of Mayaanam (burial ground) - they are (1) Kachi Mayaanam (Kanchipuram), (2) Veezhi Mayaanam (Thiruvizhimizhalai) (3) Kazhi Mayaanam (Sirkazhi) and (4) Naalur Mayaanam (this temple). It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Brahma, the four Vedas, Aabasthamba Maharishi and Saint Thirugnanasambanthar have worshipped Lord Shiva here. The Sanskrit word Chaturvedi Mangalam refers to the four Vedas. It is believed that the personified forms of these four Vedas worshiped the lord here. In Tamil this place is referred to as Naal Vediyur (Naal means four). Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, they can become Vedic scholars.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 96th 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 east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but has a beautiful entrance with sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.It is believed that this temple was originally built in the early Chola period and later on it was built using granite by Aditya Chola-I. There are 23 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of various Chola kings starting from Paranthaka Chola-I. The historical names of this place are Chaturvedi Mangalam, Thirumayanam and Thirumeignanam. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). It is believed that a snake comes to this temple occasionally and wraps itself around the head of Shivalingam. Interestingly, while prising the lord of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentions the following line - Paaloorum malai paampum panimadhiyum…... This means that the lord here is seen with a big snake. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also mentioned in his hymn that whoever prays to this lord will be freed from his past sins. He would also be freed from the cycle of death and rebirth and will reach the lord’s abode. The sanctum sanctorum is in the shape of a square and its tower (vimanam) is hemispherical.Devotees pray to the lord here for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals. They also pray to the lord such that they may be blessed with success in their educational pursuits and prosperity in their lives.

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).