Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Temples of Tamilnadu - 29 - Star temples - Bharani - Part 2

Sri Agneeswarar temple – Nalladai 

Star                         :       Bharani

Temple Timings : 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m

Phone         : 91 4364-285 341,97159 60413,94866 31196

Location         : Komal 19 kms 

Nearest town         : Thirunallar 13 kms  Thirukadaiyur 15 kms

Important days : Chithirai Festival in April – May and Vishaka in May - june

Other temple/s : Sri VadaAranyeswarar, Thiruvalangadu Chennai

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple was built with stones during the rule of Rajaraja Chola II probably between 1146-1163 while some parts by his representative Somanthozhar.  

This is a large temple with an area of two acres with entrances on three sides of the temple with towers.   As Lord Shiva Himself is heading the 9 planets-Navagrahas, there is no separate shrine for them in the temple. The  famous Shiva temples of Sembanarkoil, Keezhparasalur, Tirukadayur, Tirunallar are close to this temple. 

People belonging to Bharani star pray for relief from adverse planetary effects, happy wedding, child boon and other benefits.

The benefits for Bharani star people would be immense if they do homam so on the Bharani star day in Karthikai-November-December.  It is said that praying in such wast facing temples would bring great benefits to the devotee as the Lord would be furious in nature here.  Mother Sundaranayaki graces facing south.  To reduce the heat of the Lord, a slope like form is made around the Shiva Linga filled with water. This is the place that wove clothes to Lord Himself. Hence it is named Neithaladai – weaving fine clothes which shrunk as Nalladai over a period of time.

Sage Mruganda Maharshi organized a great Yagna for the Lord of Nalladai.  An announcement was made that that the materials required for the Yagna may be contributed by the public.  Three silk clothes with gold were woven and offered one to the Lord, one to the Rishi and the third to their king.  At the end of the yagna, the rishi offered the two clothes given to him and the Lord in the Yaga Gunda-the homam fire pit.  The public wanted to know whther the clothes placed in the Yaga Gunda would reach the Lord for which the sage asked them to go and see it for themselves in the sanctum sanctorum.  It was a pleasant surprise for the devotees to see their product covering the Lord in all freshness.

The sage explained that of the various types of Agni, Bharanai Rudragni was one and that power took things they gave to the Lord.  Hence, the Nalladai temple is attributed to Bharani star. 


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Temples of Tamilnadu - 41 - Temples In and Around Myladuthurai

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