Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam

Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran, Devadanam

Saivite Temples - Virudhunagar District

God

Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran, facing east

Goddess

Thavam Irundha Nayaki, facing south

Other Deities

Outer Prakaram – Thirumalai Kozhundeeswarar, Vinayaka, Muruga, Kann Keduthavar, Kann Koduthavar, Naagar, Sapthamadar. Inner Prakaram – Adhikara Nandi, Suryan, Vinayaka, Nataraja, 63 Nayanmar, Juradevar, Sapthamadar, Veeraputhirar, Vinayaka, Sastha, Kanni Vinayaka, Mahalakshmi, Panchabootha Lingams, Muruga with consorts, Saneeswara, Navagraha. Sanctum niches – Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma Durga, Chandikeswara

Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam is a large east-facing temple with a temple tank in front of the entrance mandapam in the east. A long corridor leads inside, the sides of which open out to the outer Prakaram. The outer Prakaram is large and in the southwest corner is a small elevated rocky area with the shrine of Lord Shiva as Thirumalai Kozhundeeswarar. This lingam has a mark on the head. Near him in separate shrines are Lord Shiva as Kann Keduthavar and Kann Koduthavar. The maha mandapam in the inner Prakaram is a large one and has beautiful ornamental paintings on the ceiling and stone pillars with paint on the top portions. The main deity is a small lingam and the goddess is a 4 feet tall idol in a standing posture. Lord Brahma is seen in a unique posture of being in penance here. Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams in the area and represents Aaghayam (Sky). The others are Sankarankovil (Land), Thenmalai, (Air), Dharugapuram (Water), Karivalamvandanallur (Fire).

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Nagalingam (Couroupita guianensis)

History

Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam is an ancient temple as is evident from the inscriptions found here and the architecture style of the structures. Historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

In the olden days, there was animosity between a Pandya King called Veerabahu and a Chola King called Vikrama. The latter could not defeat the Pandya King and finally decided that deceit was the route to take. He sent a highly poisonous garment, capable of instantly killing the wearer to the Pandya King. The Pandya King being highly devoted to Shiva was warned of this deceit by the Lord in his dream. When the garment was brought to his court he made the man bringing it to wear it and the man died instantly. Since the Pandya King was warned by Lord Shiva he decided to build a temple for him here. The lord was called Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran (the Lord who prevented the poisonous cloth from killing). Further, the Chola King lost his eyesight and realized that this was Lord Shiva’s punishment because of his actions and came to apologize to the Pandya King and prayed to the Lord here at Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam. Hence the presence of Lingam here called Kann Keduthavar (the one who took the eyes). He worshiped the Lord here and got back his vision in one eye. This is the reason for another Lingam called Kann Koduthavar (the one who gave back the eye). Upon further requesting the Lord for restoration of vision in his second eye the Lord told him to build a temple nearby and worship the Lord. This second temple is said to be at a place called Sethur, about 5 kilometers northeast of Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam on the road going to Rajapalayam.

The Lingam on top of the rock in the outer prakaram, Thirumalai Kozhundeeswarar, is believed to have worshiped by a Deer and a Cow. One day both tried to perform pooja to the lord at the same time and accidentally the hoof of the cow struck the Lord creating a mark that is visible on the Lingam. Upon the request of Sage Agastya for the well-being of the world and its people, Goddess Parvati is believed to have performed penance towards Lord Shiva here at Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam by standing on top of a needle, and hence she is called Thavam Irundha Nayaki.

Directions

Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam is 15 kilometers south-west of Rajapalayam off the road to Tenkasi. Take the road going west at the Devadanam Junction, adjacent to the Muruga Temple and proceed for a couple of kilometers to reach Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Easwaran Devadanam.

Stay and Food

None locally, closest is Rajapalayam.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples