Thirunedungalam

Padal Petra Sthalams, Tiruchirapalli District

God

Nedungalanadar (also Nithya Sundareswarar) facing east

Goddess

Mangalanayagi (also Oppilanayagi) facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Somaskanda, Sapthakanniyar, Ayyanar, Agastheeswarar, Nataraja, Naalvar, Surya, Bhairava, Varadaraja Perumal, Yoga Dakshinamurthy

Thirunedungalam is a large east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. The Rajagopuram depicts the scenes appearing in the hymns of Thirunavukkarasar rendered for the Lord here. The temple has two Prakarams. The outer Prakaram is a large one with trees all around. The south facing goddess shrine is in this Prakaram. The inner Prakaram has the sanctums and is partly covered with carved pillars. A temple tank is present opposite the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum is a different form with twin Vimaanam on top. The Yoga Dakshinamurthy idols here has a different form from the usual ones. An ancient grinding stone (Kal Ural) from the Chola period is still in use here to grind offerings from devotees.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Agastya Theertham, Sundara Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirugnanasambandar (7th century CE) has sung hymns for the lord here at Thirunedungalam. There are more than 30 stone inscriptions here and the temple is mentioned as ‘Paandikusalini Valanaattu Vadaveeranaattu Thiru Nedungalam’ and the lord as ‘Nedungalathu Mahadevar’.

Legend

Sage Agastya is believed to have worshiped the Lord here at Thirunedungalam. The lord is said to have appeared in a different form and surprised the goddess in reply to her penance to wed him. She gets scared, runs and hides before realizing the truth and thus this place was also called Olimadhi Cholai.

Directions

Thirunedungalam is about 4.5 kilometers north east of Thuvakudi, which is about another 16 kilometers from Thiruchirapalli.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea shops. Closest is Thiruchirapalli or Thanjavur depending on your itinerary.

Padal Petra Sthalams