Thondargal Nainar Swami Temple, Thirunelveli
Thondargal Nainar Swami Temple is dedicated to Hindu
God Shiva located in Thirunelveli Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu.
Presiding Deity is called as Thondargal Nainar Swami. Urchavar is called as Bhaktavatsalesar. Mother is called as Gomathi Amman.
Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theertham of this Temple is Pancha Theertham.
Historically this place is called as Venuvanam. The temple is located just
behind the Nellaiyappar Temple
Legends
Thondargal Nainar:
During
his pilgrimage, saint Tirugnanasambandar came to Nellaiyappar temple from
Kuttralam, worshipped the Lord and sang hymns. His followers wanted to
install a Shivalinga here. Though Sambandar agreed to their wish, he did not
want to do it individually himself. He prayed to Sage Agasthya and sought
his blessings to fulfill the desire of his followers. Sage Agasthya
pointed out a place thick with Vilwa trees and indicated the presence of a
Swayambu Shivalinga. Sambandar got the Shivalinga and worshipped him with
his followers (Thondargal). As Lord Shiva appeared here for the Thondars,
He is named Thondargal Nainar.
Karuvur Chithar:
Karuvur
Chithar, a staunch Shiva devotee begged Lord Nellaiyappar seeking his darshan
but Lord did not turn up. Chithar angrily said that Lord Shiva was not
there and cursed the land be infested with bushes and returned back. After
passing a short distance, Chithar had the darshan of Lord in the form of
Jyoti-light. When he prostrated at his feet, Jyoti began to move towards
the Nellai temple and merged with the Linga. Granting darshan, Lord
advised Chithar to practice patience and said impatience could not bring
anything good. Chithar said, “Lord is here, let the bushes disappear and
moved away. This event is celebrated in the temple on Aavani Moola Star
day in August-September.
The
Temple
Lord
Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is called as Thondargal Nainar Swami. Urchavar is called
as Bhaktavatsalesar. Mother is called as Gomathi Amman. Sthala Vriksham
is Vilwa Tree. Theertham of this Temple is Pancha Theertham. Main Vinayaka of
the temple is Vanni Vinayaka. The vimana-tower above the sanctum sanctorum
is of hexagonal type.
Lord
Vinayaka graces on an Avudayar (the seat or peetam on which Shivalingas are
installed) in the prakara under a peepal tree (Arasa maram). Behind him is
another Vinayaka facing north. This is a strange form of Vinayaka facing
opposite sides. There is a Shivalinga to the right of Vinayaka with two Nagas
(serpent deity) nearby each facing the opposite side. Those facing adverse
effects of serpent planets pray here for relief. Lord Dakshinamurthy in the
ghoshta wall has his left hand on a serpent.
Saint
Tirugnanasambandar and Sage Agasthya are in the mandapam in front of Lord Shiva
shrine. Sani Bhagwan in the prakara graces with a parrot in his hand. There is
also a Vanni tree and a well in the temple complex. It is worth recalling the
story of a well, Vanni tree and a Shivalinga deposing in a case of wedding of a
girl in Madurai in her favour at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, when
mischievous relatives tried to defame her. Lord Vanni Vinayaka reminds us this
story.
There
are shrines for Lord Nardana Vinayaka and Lord Muruga in the prakara. Mother Gomathi
is located to the left of the Lord graces from a separate shrine facing
east. Sri Chakra is installed in the Maha Mandapa before Mother’s
shrine. Devotees chant Abhirami Andhadhi hymn on Fridays in the
shrine. During Aadi Thapasu festival, devotees light Maa Vilakku lamps
made of a paste of rice flour and ghee.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Chitra
Poornima in April-May, Aani Uthiram in June-July, Aipasi wedding festival in October-November,
Tirukarthikai in November-December and Masi Shivaratri in February-March are
the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
pray for the welfare of children, relief from the adverse effects of serpent
planets and wedding boons. Performing special pujas, offering vastras and sweet
pudding (sarkarai Pongal) to Lord and Mother, devotees execute the prayer
commitment. Women facing problems in wedding proposals offer Sari to Mother. Those
having adverse aspects of serpent planets (Rahu & Kethu) pray here to get
relief.
Contact
Sri
Thondargal Nainar Swami Temple,
Near Sri
Nellaiyappar temple,
Thirunelveli
- 627 006
Phone: +91 – 462 – 256 1138
Connectivity
The
temple is located just behind the Nellaiyappar Temple. Nearest Railway Station
is located at Thirunelveli and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and
Thiruvananthapuram.
