Bring Light to Nellikuppam Kailasanatha!

A view of the Nellikuppam Kailasanatha Temple that is currently being renovated

The Kailasanatha Temple at Nellikuppam dates back to over 1400 years. Originally built during the Pallava time, this temple has received patronage from the Cholas, and Nayakas. Over the last sixty years, the temple had become neglected, impoverished and finally started crumbling. In recent years, efforts have been taken by the residents of Nellikuppam to renovate this temple and restore it to its lost glory.

History of the temple:

A number of copper plates and inscriptions that belonged to this temple have not been found and whatever information that is currently available is from the damaged/partial inscriptions that are still found all through the temple.

From these inscriptions, we can understand that the temple was originally constructed during the period of Mahendra Varma I (600-630 CE). When Mahendra Varma converted to Saivaite faith from Jainism due to the influence of Tirunavukkarasar, he built Shiva temples in Tirupadhiripuliyur, Tiruvadhigai and Nellikuppam where Jain shrines had originally existed.

To date, we find that these three temples are equidistant from one another set apart by 12 kms. An ancient Jain Theerthankara statue dating back before 1400 years was found in the Kailasanatha Temple tank and has subsequently been installed in the temple.

Inscriptions belonging to Vikrama Chola's time (1130 CE) mention that this temple had been renovated during Rajendra Chola I's time. The inscription refers to the temple as " Kaileswaramaana Rajendra Choleswaram". Nellikuppam has been referred to as "Raja raja vala nattu Sozhavalli nallur" in the inscriptions.

Subsequently the temple has received further patronage from the Nayakas which is evident from the walls of the temple and the Veera Anjaneya in the temple.  There is another inscription in the temple that talks about " Irandaairam Mudaligal" who have renovated the temple in the 17th Century.There are ten Chola inscriptions, one Nayaka inscription and three other more recent inscriptions in the temple.

Inscription above the sanctum sanctorum

There is one inscription above the main sanctum sanctorum which speaks about the patronage of Kundavai Nachiyar, elder sister of Raja Raja Chola I to the temple.

Mr.Deivanambi, the very dedicated priest at the temple and Mr Kannan one of the trustees of the Kailasanathar Arappani Mandram, speak about the sad plight of the temple a few years ago. Trees had sprouted over the Vimana, with the roots penetrating below and totally covering the Lingam, they say. The door facing South had got jammed and for several years, the Lord stayed inside with no worship.

All that has changed now with the sincere efforts of the volunteers. The Nayaka Mandapas that had collapsed are being reconstructed, the shrines have been repaired and the idols replaced, the flooring and tiles having recently been added.

The Moorthis at the temple:

There are three temples in this area that denote Kailasa, Shivaloka and Bhooloka, the three places where Lord Shiva is worshipped. Apart from the Kailasanatha temple, the Bhoolokanatha temple also at Nellikuppam and  the Shivalokanathar temple at Vellappakkam about two kilometres away. All three temples are in different levels of restoration and can be visited at the same time.

The temple is a treasure trove of wonderful moorthis. On entering the temple from the Southern entrance, one can see the Navagrahas lined up in a single file.

Navagrahas in a single file

Apart from these, Navagrahas are also found in the regular setting in an open shrine between the shrines of Lord Kailasanatha and Goddess Akilandeswari.

Ayyanar at the Nellikuppam Kailasanatha Temple

There is a line up of some unique idols alongside the Navagrahas probably waiting for their turn to be installed in the right shrines around the temple once the reconstruction is complete, such as the Ayyanar above and the Vishnu Durgai with a Prayoga Chakra. The bison head  at her feet is missing though.

Goddess Durga with Prayoga Chakra. 

As we move around the temple, our attention is drawn to the almost lifelike Rishaba Vahana which dates back to 1947. This is probably the only Vahana that could be saved from among the ruins.

The beautiful Rishaba Vahana at Nellikuppam Kailasanatha Temple

The Dakshinamoorthy is a delight to watch.  He smiles from his newly installed shrine without the Banyan tree behind him.

The Dakshinamoorthy at the Nellikuppam Kailasanatha temple with his beautiful locks and enchanting smile

Apart from this, the Vishnu,Veerabadra, Subramanya, Chandikeswara and Jyeshta Devi idols stand testimony to the ancient nature of the temple begging for attention and restoration to shrines in their natural positions in the temple.

Jyeshta Devi at the Nellikuppam Kailasanatha Temple

It is not very common to see Lord Anjaneya in a Shiva temple. A Veera Anjaneya is found in an alcove on the prahara around the temple.

Veera Anjaneya at Nellikuppam Kailasanathar Temple

Goddess Akilandeswari stands magnificiently in a seperate shrine. Over six feet tall, she radiates compassion. Her compelling presence makes you difficult to move away from her.

Goddess Akilandeswari

Finally the magnificient Lord Kailasanatha sits in the newly renovated sanctum sanctorum. It is painful to think how such a vibrant Lord stayed neglected under roots of the tree that had sprouted from the Vimana for several years.

Lord Kailasanatha of Nellikuppam

The renovation has been happening at a slow pace with the funds trickling in through local visitors and contacts. The temple currently needs support for electricity charges. For this the temple plans to place fixed deposits the interest from which would pay the electricity charges over time. A humble contribution of Rs.200 per day is all that is required for this purpose. 365 donors contributing Rs.200 each would help in ensuring the temple is lit and the Lord is restored back to his glory.So far the temple has been able to raise around Rs.30000/-  which has been placed in fixed deposits. Your support is required in helping the temple raise the remaining funds.

By contributing a humble sum of Rs.200 you will be instrumental in ensuring the temple is lit up for a day for a entire lifetime.To support please send in your contribution by Cash/Cheque/DD/MO/NEFT to Aalayam Kanden Trust payable at Chennai or through Account Number 6028000100005596, Punjab National Bank, West Mambalam Branch. IFSC Code PUNB0602800. All donations are exempt under Sec 80G of the Income Tax Act.


Updated on April 21, 2014:

With an initial contribution of Rs.25000/- made by the Aalayam Kanden Trustees, and public contributions of Rs.30302/- a total sum of Rs.55302/- was raised towards electricity deposit and handed over to the trustees of the temple, M/s. Kannan and Raja. We do hope this deposit will help the temple to take care of its electricity charges without any difficulty. Aalayam Kanden wishes to thank all those who contributed towards this noble cause!

Handing over cheque to the trustees of Nellikuppam Sri Kailasanatha temple!

How to reach here:

Nellikuppam is a town in Cuddalore district. When you reach Nellikuppam through Panruti, take the second left after the Nellikuppam Police Station. This street is called Gandhi Street. Drive right down this road for about half a kilometre till you turn right at Sivan Koil street. The temple is found right here.

Temple Timings: 

Morning -6 am to 10 am

Evening - 5 pm to 7 pm

Contact Details:

Deivanambi - Priest at the temple - 77088 41065
Kailasanathar Irai Narpani Manram
 Mr Kannan - 93676 46591
Mr Raja - 94428 32200
              

Young Again!

The Gopuram and the Gurukkal of Elamai Aakinar Temple, Chidambaram

Thiruneelakanda Kuyavanaar was a resident of the temple town of Chidambaram. No one really knew what his real name was. This potter was well known for his deed of giving away a bowl of alms (Thiruvodu) free to a Sivanadiyaar ( devotee of Lord Shiva) before selling his other wares. His lips chanted "Thiruneelakandam" all the time that he came to be called "Thiruneelakandar".

His wife, Ratnachalai, was an equally pious woman and she supported her husband ably in all his activities. Thiruneelakandar's youthful feelings happened to lead him to solicit another woman. When his wife came to know of this, she was shattered. When Thiruneelakandar tried to touch her, she forbade him, swearing in the name of Thiruneelakandam that the hand that touched another woman should never touch her.

Thiruneelakandar was shocked, but repentant. Since that day, he never made an attempt to touch his wife or any other woman. They stayed together, and performed all other tasks as a married couple. Time went on, and both Thiruneelakandar and his wife grew old. But their noble task of making and giving away bowls of alms to devotees of Lord Shiva continued. They spent every moment of their lives in prayer and thoughts of the golden feet of the Lord.

Painting depicting the various events that took place in the life of Thiruneelakanda Nayanar

No one knew about this vow and the issues with them. As days passed, Lord Shiva had a desire to test the strength of devotion of Thiruneelakandar. He appeared before him in the guise of a Sivayogi. Thiruneelakandar welcomed him with happiness. The Sivayogi gave him a "Thiruvodu" and asked him to keep it safely till he returned from pilgrimage. The potter took it and placed it safely in his house. 

The Yogi returned after a few days and sought the bowl he had left behind. Despite searching high and low, Thiruneelakandar was unable to find it. He told the Sivayogi that he was not able to find the bowl, but would give him a bigger and better bowl instead.

The Yogi was angry. He refused the offer of a new bowl and insisted that his own special bowl be returned, failing which he would make a complaint to the 3000 Dikshidhars of Thillai (Chidambaram) that Thiruneelakandar had stolen his bowl.

The potter was aghast. He told the Yogi that even in his thoughts he had not dreamt of stealing the vessel and he sincerely did not understand how it had gone missing. If that was the case, the Yogi asked him to hold his son's hand and swear that he had not stolen the bowl.

Thiruneelakandar and his wife Ratnachalai

Thiruneelakandar told him that he did not have a son. So the Yogi asked him to hold his wife's hand instead. Thiruneelakandar said he could not do that either. So the Yogi took the case to the Thillai Dikshidhars who ruled that Thiruneelakandar had to hold his wife's hand and dip in the tank of the Thirupuleeswarar temple in order to prove his innocence.

Without knowing what to do, Thiruneelakandar and his wife dipped into the tank, both holding either side of a bamboo stick. When they came out of the water, they found that their youth had been restored and the Lord appeared before them with Devi Parvathy and praised their sincere devotion, due to which they had spent their entire youth in celibacy just to upkeep the vow that had been taken in the name of Thiruneelakandam.

The Thirupuleeswaram temple was called so because Sage Vyagrapathar had installed the Thirupuleeswarar and Goddess Tripurasundari at the temple and worshipped them. From the time, Thiruneelakandar and his wife regained their youth, the temple has come to be known as Elamai Aakinaar Koil and the Lord and Goddess are called Yavaneshwarar and Yavanambigai.  The temple tank is called the Elamai theertham.

The Elamai Theertham where Lord Shiva turned Thiruneelakandar and his wife young again

It is indeed heartening to see the tank clean and well maintained, with the gates displaying notice from the Police Department that using the tank to bathe or wash clothes is punishable. The temple is large and empty. 

We went around the empty praharam, while I was busy visualing how the temple would have looked during Thiruneelakandar's times. The praharam had idols of Thiruneelakandar and his wife, standing apart, as well as the "Naalvar". 

A large Nandi that was probably placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum once upon a time, lay discarded, now being used as a stand for the water hose.

Abandoned Nandi

Another noteworthy feature of this temple is that it is not just associated with the life and times of Thiruneelakanda Nayanar but is also associated with Kanampulla Nayanar.

The story of Kanampulla Nayanar is heartwarming. He was from the village of Irukkuvelur, near Salem. He was a rich man, whose passion was to light lamps in temples of Shiva and worship him. Desirous of worshipping the Lord in Chidambaram, he came to the Thirupuleeswarar Temple, and continued his service of lighting lamps.

Lord Shiva wanted to test his devotion as well. His wealth started depleting and he was compelled to sell his household articles one by one, in order to buy oil for the lamps. This did no deter him from continuing his service. Very soon, he did not have any article to sell. He then started cutting straw from the riverside (Kanampul) and selling it. With the money he got, he purchased oil for the lamps. 

One day he could not sell any straw. Disappointed and not knowing how he could light the lamps at the temple, he came to Thirupuleeswaram and tried to light the lamps with the straws that were unsold. But the straws burnt out immediately. Determined to continue his service at any cost, he burnt his hair in order for the lamp to continue burning. 

Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him, and took him into his abode.

Kanampulla Nayanar who burnt his hair in order to keep the temple lamp burning

There is an idol of Kanampulla Nayanar in the outer praharam in memory of the events that took place in this very temple. After worshiping Lord Yavaneswarar and Yavanambigai, we moved out of the temple. Worshipping them, is said to keep one, young and healthy and couples who have misunderstandings or lack of harmony among them, are believed to become united again after worshiping the Lord and Goddess.

Another notable feature of this temple was the huge granary that it had. The temple is clean and well maintained by the Nagarathar community. It would be wonderful if the tourists who visit the Nataraja temple, also make an effort to visit this very significant temple not very far away from it.

The Ancient Granary

During your next visit to Chidambaram, please do make an effort to visit this wonderful shrine!

Contact information:

Elamai Aakinaar Temple,
Kasu Kadai Street,
Near Bazaar,
Chidambaram.

Gurukkal Mobile: 94426 12650. The Gurukkal is available from 8 am to 9 am for daily pujas and then again in the evening. You may also contact Sri Rathnathandava Deekshidhar of the Sabanayagar temple on 94438 94098 for guidance.

Temple Timings: 8 am to 12 pm - 5 pm to 8 pm

Sara Narayana Perumal Temple, Thiruvadhigai

                                                 Saranarayana Perumal Koil in Thiruvadhigai.

Thiruvadhigai or Thiripuravadhigai as it was originally known is a village between Panruti and Cuddalore. It is believed that Lord Vishnu became the Saram (arrow) for Lord Shiva to burn down the Tiripurandhakas and hence is called Saranarayana Perumal.This is the place where Shiva worshipped him after burning down the Tiripurandakas and hence the place is called Tiripuravadhigai. 

Saranarayana perumal is found in Kalyana Thirukkolam with Sridevi thaayar (no Boodevi) as he married the daughter of Margandeya maharishi here . The goddess is called Hemambujavalli and the Utsavar is called Govinda Vinnagarappan.

Sri Sayana Narasimhar 

The most unique feature of Saranarayana Perumal Koil is that it is only here that we find Lord Narasimha in a sleeping posture as Sayana Narasimha with Goddess Lakshmi at his feet.Lord Mahavishnu is found as Ranganathar in several temples and we also find Lord Shiva in a sleeping posture in Suruttapalli but nowhere else can we see Lord Narasimha in a sleeping posture. 

How to reach here:

The temple is on the Panruti - Cuddalore road, about 3 kms away from the Panruti Bus Stand. There is some road development work going on so you might have to take a little roundabout route near the temple.

Temple Timings:

Morning: 7 am to 10 am

Evening: 5.30 pm to 8.15 pm

Contact Details of the Bhattacharyar: 94437 87186