Nellivananathar Temple : Nellivananathar Temple Details | Nellivananathar- Tirunellikka | Tamilnadu Temple

Sri Nellivananathar temple

Moolavar	:	Nellivana Nathar, Nellivaneswarar
Urchavar	:	-
Amman / Thayar	:	Mangalanayaki
Thala Virutcham	:	Gooseberry
Theertham	:	Brahmma, Surya theerthams
Agamam / Pooja	:	-
Old year	:	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	:	Tirunellikka
City	:	Tirunellikka
District	:	Tiruvarur
State	:	Tamil Nadu


	Singers:

	Lord of the temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is the 117th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns

	Festival:

	The first great 10 day Chithirai festival is celebrated in April-May. Aavani Mother Wedding Festival on the first Friday; Navarathri in September-October; Sashti in Aipasi-October-November; Thai Poosam and Dheep festival (Tiru Vilakku Puja) on last Thai Friday in January-February are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.

	Temple's Speciality:

	Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in this west facing temple. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord for a week in Masi-February-March during the evenings when Surya Puja is performed in the temple.

	Opening Time:

	The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

	Address:

	Sri Nellivananathar Temple, Tirunellikka- 610 205, Tiruvarur dist.

	Phone:

	+91- 4369-237 507, 237 438.

	General Information:

	Lords Brahmma and Vishnu, Sun, Moon, Sani Bhagwan, Gandharvas and trees of the celestial world had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

	Prayers

	Devotees pray here for removal of delays in marriage, for child boon, conquering anger and cure from leprosy.

	Thanks giving:

	Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with Vastras and contribute for the renovation of the temple.

	Greatness Of Temple:

	A staunch Shiva devotee residing in Tiruvarur came to this place to worship Lord. He noticed that wild beasts in the place living together in harmony and the Devas from the celestial world visit the temple each day and turn back before dawn. He informed the matter to the Chola king. The king came to the place, cured the land destroying the forests, made a city and built a great temple. Amala in Sanskrit means Gooseberry, the sacred tree of the temple. Hence, Lord is also known as Amalakesan. The Chola king who built the temple was also referred to as Amalakesa Chola. Amala Kesa Chola’s son Uthama Chola and his wife Paduma Malai came to the temple and worshipped Lord Shiva seeking child boon. Mother Bharathi as a child of three years appeared there and sat on the lap of the king. A voice from the sky told the King that Mother Herself had come to him as the child and should be named Mangala Nayaki. The king followed the advice obediently. After Uthama Chola’s end, child Mangala Nayaki grew under the care of the mother and attained the marriageable age. While worshipping at the Tiruvarur temple one day, Mangala Nayaki heard the voice of Lord telling her that He would come to Tirunellikka on the first Friday of Aavani-August-September and marry her. Lord came to Tirunellikka and wedded Mangalanayaki amid chanting of Vedas. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord for a week from Masi 18 (February-March) on the Lord during the evenings when Surya Puja is performed in the temple. The beneficial effects men and women get in various places by virtue of their birth, worships, thoughts and death are available to them in this single holy land and temple.

	Temple History:

	There are five divine trees in the celestial world as Parijatha, Karpaga, Saanthanam, Hrichandan and Mandhara capable of offering any wish the devotee expects. This power made them proud and grew to the extent of humiliating great Rishi Durvasa too. He cursed the trees to become gooseberry trees on earth whose fruits would be citric in taste as tamarind. With all His mercy, Lord Shiva granted them relief from the curse and enable them return back to their place. He also gave this Nelli-gooseberry tree an importance among trees. These trees thus became lucky of serving the Lord. As Lord stayed under the Nelli tree, He came to be praised as Nellivana Nathar and place as Tiru Nellikka.

	Special Features:

	Miracle Based: Lord Shiva in the temple is Swayambumurthi facing west. During the month of Masi (February-March) each year, the rays of Sun fall on the Lord during the evenings for a week when Surya Puja is performed.

Location :
Tirunellikka temple is 18 km from Tiruvarur on the Tiruturaipoondi road. Bus facilities are available from Tiruvarur.

Near By Railway Station :
Tiruthuraipoondi

Near By Airport :
Trichy

Accomodation :
Tiruvarur:

Selvi’s: +91-4366-222 080
Royal Park: +91-4366-251 020 – 023