Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani

Valarmathi Iswaram, Neerpazhani

Saivite Temples, Pudhukottai District

God

Valarmathi Iswarar, facing east

Goddess

Swarnambikai, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Subramanya, Subadranayaki, Bhairava Sanctum Niches – Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara

Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani is situated in a single Prakaram with an entrance gopuram on the south side. The entrance Gopuram is not a tiered structure and is about two feet below the ground, facing south. The Maha Mandapa and Mukha Mandapa is followed by the Sanctum Sanctorum. A Balipeedam and a beautiful Nandi Mandapam is in the front. There is a porch before the Maha Mandapa which is open on the south and east sides with steps leading up on both the sides. Behind the main structure are the sub shrines for Ganesh and Subramanya, facing east. The vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum is a three tiered Nagara Vimana. Some beautiful idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ksetrabala, Jyeshta Devi, Muruga, Ganesha, Sapatamadar and others are found here at Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani. There are two goddesses here, Swarnambikai and Subadranayaki. There is a large pond on the northeast side of the Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani temple with a small Ayyanar Temple at its northeast corner.

A detailed description of the architectural aspects of Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani temple can be read in https://milliongods.com/wp-content//index.php/2021/04/30/neerpazhani-valarmathi-iswaram/

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Inscriptions belonging to later Chlas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar Kings are seen here at Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani on the walls of the Maha Mantapa. An inscription of Maran Sandaiyan (765-815 CE) seen on the Porch is the oldest in this temple. There are about 20 inscriptions here at Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani. Four of them belong to the Pandyas and the rest to the Cholas. A Chola inscription of one Rajakesari mentions gifts of land on the orders of Pirantakan Vira Cholan alias Mahimalai Irukkuvel while on camp at the Thiruparaiturai temple. This is said to belong to 955 CE. Though this inscription belongs to the early cholas, paleographic studies place it in a later period raising the possibility that the inscription was later copied and installed. Seven of the Chola inscriptions belong to Rajadhirajadeva (Rajadiraja II?). These inscriptions mention gifts of money, lands, food offerings and grants to festivals to the Lord Neerpazhani Udaiyar. Two inscriptions speak of the installation of the idols of Ksetrabala and Goddess Nallapillaipetra Nachiyar during the period of Kulotunga III and Maravarma Kulasekhara Pandya respectively. Early and later Pandya and Chola inscriptions mention the main deity as Neerpazhani Mahadevar, Neerpazhani Udayar, Valarmathi Iswaramudaiya Nayanar, and Valarmathi Iswaramudayar Koil. Maran Sandaiyan and Gandaraditya inscriptions mention the village as Neerpazhani in Urattur Kurram.

Legend

Avvayyar on her way to Pazhani to worship Lord Muruga is believed to have visited this place. In her thirst she found this area without water and in her grief she addressed the lord here at Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani. A divine voice told her to pierce her walking stick into the ground in the temple and water is believed to have spurted out. Neer (water) was provided to her on the way to Pazhani and the village came to be called Neerpazhani.

Directions

Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani is about 30 kilometers south of Thiruchirapalli. While going on the Thiruchirapalli – Pudukottai road take a right before the Kalamavur Railway Gate and drive on for about 7 kilometers to reach Valarmathi Iswaram Neerpazhani temple. There is also a small Vishnu temple in the village.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Thiruchirapalli.