Revisiting five ancient temples in Tamil Nadu where Shiva turned into a performer
Nellaiappar Temple, Kutralanathar Temple Vataranyeshwarar Temple,
Situated in the heart of Tirunelveli is the ancient and historic temple of Shiva, who is worshipped as Nellaiappar. Adjacent to it is the niche for Parvati, worshipped here as Kanthimati. The two temples are connected by a long, beautiful corridor called Sangili Mandapam. It is said that Shiva was worshipped by sage Agastya in a bamboo grove (Venu Vana) and hence the name Venuvananathar (God of the Bamboo Forest) by which this deity was once known. The sacred tree (Sthalavriksham) of this temple is bamboo, seen in the second prakaram.
According to a tradition, a person named Vedasharma brought home rice grains and spread it on the ground to dry them. He prayed to Shiva to protect them from being washed away by rain. The deity guarded the rice grains (nel) like a fence (veli). Hence the name Nelvelinathar (Lord of the sacred fence of rice ). As this incident took place in presentday Tirunelveli, it got the name Nelveli with the prefix ‘Tiru’ (sacred) being added later. Shiva in this temple is therefore called Nellaiappar.
This huge temple has three enclosures (prakarams), the epicenter of which is the principal sanctum which enshrines the Linga worshipped as Nelliappar believed to be a swayambu or selfmanifested Linga. Inscriptions in this temple mention the ancient names of this deity as Thirunelveli Udaiyar and Thirunelveli Udaiya Nayanar.
Of special interest in this temple is the sanctum for Vishnu called Pallikonda Perumal and Nellai Govindan. Here, Vishnu is seen reclining on the fivehooded serpent Adisesha with his head to the west. This Vishnu sanctum was constructed during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I (9851014 C.E.) as also the mandapa in front, which is common to the Shiva and Vishnu sanctums.
The second prakaram of this temple houses the famous Tamra Sabha (Hall of Copper) with a sloping roof, one of the most venerated shrines in this temple. In the month of Margazhi, during Arudra (Thiruvadirai) nakshatram, the images of Nataraja and Sivakami are worshipped. Behind the Tamra Sabha is the sanctum for Chandana Sabhapati. Viewing Chandana Sabhapati through the Tamra Sabha is divine experience.
)the here are Shiva temples galore in Thiruvalangadu, a village near Arakonam, has Tamil Nadu, with some of them the large and ancient Vataranyeshwarar organised into clusters. The Padal temple. This place was once full of banyan Petra Sthalams are the temples trees as indicated by the Tamil name wherein Shiva has been praised in the Tamil Thiruvalangadu (sacred banyan jungle) and by verses of the Nayanmars or the important the Sanskrit name of the presiding deity
Shiva devotees; the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams Vataranyeshwarar (God of the banyan forest). are five Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu and According to traditional accounts, Nataraja and Andhra Pradesh associated with the five Kali had a dance competition here, during elements, and the Pancha Sabhas are the which Nataraja’s earring fell down. He picked it five Shiva shrines, which are the arenas with the toes of his left leg and put it back in of Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. The earlobe without stopping the dance. Shiva Panch Sabhas also happen to be won the contest as Kali did not want to imitate Padal Petra Sthalams. this pose. As Shiva lifted his leg vertically (‘urdhva’ in Sanskrit), the Nataraja image here is known as Urdhava Tandavamurti.
People visiting Thiruvalangadu usually go to the Kali shrine first and then pray to Vataranyeshwara. Of particular importance is the association of Karaikkal Ammaiyar, one of the three women in the list of 63 Nayanmars, with this temple. When she was young, she prayed to Shiva to give her an old and emaciated form. Karaikkal Ammaiyar visited many Shiva temples and finally went to Kailash, where she was directed by the deity to go to Thiruvalangadu.
This temple, which has five enclosures (prakarams) existed in the Pallava era and was subsequently expanded. Parvati is known as Vandarkuzhali Amman and Brahmaralakamba. In the second prakaram is the sanctum enshrining eightarmed Nataraja in Urdhva Tandava with Karaikkal Ammaiyar playing the cymbals and Parvati is near the Cosmic Dancer. This Nataraja is unique and famous. This temple is known as the Rathna Sabha (Hall of Gems).
Inscriptions here mention the original names of the deity as Thiruvalangadu Udaiya Nayanar, located in Pazhaiyanur. Hence, Thiruvalangadu was once known as Pazhaiyanur. Sundaramurti Nayanar of the 8th century refers to the main deity as PazhaiyanurAmma.
TIn the Pandya country, wellknown for its waterfalls, is home to the Kurumpalaveesar (Kutralanatha) temple. The deity is called so because this temple is associated with the Kurumpala or the jackfruit tree, traditionally revered as the Sthala Vriksham or sacred tree here. Parvathi is worshipped here as Kuzhalvai Mozhi Nayaki. This temple is known for its Chitra Sabha (Hall of Paintings). This hall, with a copperplated roof, is full of beautiful paintings, especially of Nataraja, and others associated with Saivite lore