Thirunindriyur is one of the Paadal Petra Shivasthalam on which 'pathikam's were sung by all the three illustirous trinities - Gyanasambandhar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. The temple's majestic facade is adorned with a resplendent three-tiered Rajagopuram, serving as a grand entrance that leads devotees into a courtyard, which houses the Balipeetam, Nandi, and 'Kodimara' Vinayaka. As devotees traverse the outer Prakaram, they are greeted by a series of sannidhis. 'Selva' Pillayar graces the first sannidhi, followed by the Linga worshipped by the venerable Sage Parasurama. The majestic Muruga, seated atop his celestial peacock mount, is accompanied by his consorts Valli and Deivanai. The four Nayanmars and Mahalakshmi also find their abode within this precinct. As one progresses further, the sannidhi of Navagraha, the nine celestial planetorial deities, comes into view. Bhiravar and Chandra, the moon god, share a sannidhi. Having completed the customary circumambulation of the prakaram, devotees enter the inner sanctum of the temple, paying reverent homage to Dwara Ganapathy, Dwara Subramanya, and the vigilant Dwara Paalaks. Within this sanctified space is the sannidhi of the presiding deity, while to the right, is the graceful sannidhi of the female consort deity.
Parashurama, son of Jamadagni, committed the grievous act of matricide, slaying his own mother Renuka at the behest of his father's command. Jamadagni beseeched the obedient Parashurama to ask for a boon. Parashurama implored his father to restore life to his deceased mother. Seeking to expiate the grave sin incurred by this matricidal act, Parashurama offered prayers to Shiva. Jamadagni, too, was consumed by contrition for his rash and irrevocable decision, and supplicated before Lord Shiva for absolution. In response to their sincere pleas, Lord Shiva manifested before the penitent father and son. The very Shiva Linga that Parashurama worshipped with great devotion is enshrined in the prakaram, reverently known as the Parashurama Lingam. The divine form of Jamadagneeshwarar, he who appeared before Jamadagni, is worshipped as a Linga with a diminutive 'Baana'. In close proximity to the sannidhi of Jamadagneeshwarar lies the sanctum of Lord Mahavishnu. Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, also paid obeisance to the presiding deity, bestowing upon Him the appellation of Lakshmipureeswarar. Indra, Sage Agastya, Parashurama, Airavata the majestic white elephant of Indra, and even a pious Chola king have all venerated this deity at Thirunindriyur.
According to the Sthala Purana, A Chola king, a devout follower of Lord Nataraja, would make daily pilgrimage to Chidambaram. His route passed through a dense forest, and curiously, each night as the king and his entourage traversed this particular area, their fire-lit torches would inexplicably extinguish, only to reignite once they had crossed the forest's boundary. Intrigued by this mysterious and recurring phenomenon, the king sought out a cow-herd who tended his cattle in that region. The herder revealed that at one specific spot, the cows would voluntarily gather to be milked, suggesting a sacred presence. Moved to investigate, the king ordered an excavation of the site, unearthing a Shiva Linga that was astonishingly bleeding from the blow of the axe. The king was overcome with sorrow and remorse but a divine voice instructed the king to construct a temple on that ground. The majestic temple that stands there to this day is believed to be the very one erected by the Chola king in reverence and atonement. Devotees can bear witness to the still-visible mark of the axe upon the 'swayabhu' Linga of the presiding deity.
Combining the words 'thiri' meaning wick and 'nindra' meaning stopped or extinguished, to signify that this was the notable site where the torch flames had ceased burning, this place came to be known as 'Thiri-Nindra-oor'. Over the centuries, the name 'Thiri-Nindra-oor' gradually evolved through common usage, with the syllables blending together and transforming into the current name of 'Thirunindriyur'.
During the era of the 'Thevara hymns', the temple at Tirunindriyur bore the marks of the 'Maada koil', a structure originally constructed by the ruler KochengatCholan. According to historical accounts, approximately a century ago, the Nagarathar community undertook extensive renovations of this sacred site, redesigning the temple layout to its present-day configuration.
The temple and its presiding deity are exalted in the devotional compositions of three revered Nayanmars - Tirgyanasambandhar, who composed one pathikam; TiruNavukkarasar, who composed one pathikam; and Sundarar, who composed two pathikams, though one of Sundarar's compositions is only partially extant due to damage. Thirunindriyur is also refered in pathikams composed in praise of other temples.
Sundarar's hymns allude to various sacred narratives associated with the temple, such as the story of a spider attaining rebirth as a king after weaving a web above the Shiva Linga, the devotion of Tirunavukkarasar, Chandesura Nayanar, and Kannappa Nayanar, who were all blessed by Lord Shiva. The hymns also recount the 'Sthala Purana' of Parashurama's worship at the temple, the legend of a cow attaining union with Shiva after offering its milk to the Linga, Indira's worship and subsequent blessing to rule the celestial realm, Sage Durvasa's granted residence at 'Podhikai' hills, and the tale of Airavatha, who, cursed to become a wild elephant by Sage Durvasa, regained his divine status through penance.
3-tiered Gopuram
View from the entrance
Sanctum Vimana
Subramanya
Primary four Nayanmars
Parashurama Lingam
Lakshmi Pureeswar