Neelakanteswarar temple, TiruNeelakudi
Location: TiruNeelakudi
Deity known as: Neelakanteswarar, Manogyanathaswamy
Female Deity: Bhakthabeestha Prathayini, Sri Anupamasthani
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 1
Gallery - TiruNeelakudi
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 13 km from Kumbakonam. It stands by the roadside at Tiruneelakudi on the Kumbakonam–Karaikal route. For those travelling from Mayiladuthurai, proceed up to Aduthurai on the way to Kumbakonam and then take the branch road from Aduthurai to Thiruneelakudi, which is approximately 3 km.
Temple Address
Tiruneelakudi
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur district
Tamil Nadu
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Near by temples
| 1 | Tiru-Nageswaram - 7 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Vidaimarudur - 7 kms | |
| 3 | ThenKurangaduthurai - 4 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Vaikal Maadakoil - 5.4 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Nallam - 9.4 kms | |
| 5 | Tiru-Kozhambam - 9 kms |
History of Markandeya
The Divine Boon
The sage Mrigandu and his virtuous wife earnestly prayed to God Shiva for the blessing of a child. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva appeared before them and offered a choice: a son who would live long but lack noble qualities, or a son who would be wise, righteous and virtuous, yet destined to live only for sixteen years. With unwavering faith, the couple chose the latter – a short-lived but noble and enlightened child.
Markandeya's Devotion
In due course, a son was born to the couple, and they named him Markandeya. When he reached the age of sixteen, his parents tearfully informed him that his destined lifespan was coming to an end. A devoted worshipper of God Shiva, Markandeya firmly believed that only Shiva could save him from his fate. With unwavering determination, he travelled to many places where Shiva resided.
The Grace of Immortality
Eventually, he reached Tiru-Neelakudi, where he immersed himself in deep meditation upon God Shiva. Moved by his devotion, Shiva appeared before him, blessed him with long life, and proclaimed that Markandeya would become a Chiranjivi – one who lives forever.
The Blue-Necked Lord
During the churning of the ocean of milk by the Devas and Asuras in their quest for Amritha (nectar of immortality), a deadly poison emerged as the first product of the churning. To protect the worlds from destruction, God Shiva consumed the poison. Goddess Parvathi, in her compassion, held His neck to prevent the poison from descending into His body.
The poison remained in Shiva's throat, turning it blue, and thus He came to be known as Tiru-Nīla-Kantar – the One with the Blue Neck.
Unique Abhishekam Ritual
The ritual of Abhishekam with sesame (til) oil is especially significant in this temple. During the ceremony, the deity is bathed with large quantities of oil—tin after tin—yet every drop is astonishingly absorbed by the Shiva Linga. By the next day, the surface of the Linga appears completely dry, as though no abhisheka had been performed for a long time.
Despite the continuous ritual of abhishekam, the surface of the Linga remains rough rather than smooth. According to traditional belief, this sacred sesame-oil abhishekam is performed to alleviate the effect of the poison that Shiva holds in His neck.
Healing Properties
Devotees believe that consuming a small quantity of the oil used for the abhishekam has the power to cure even otherwise incurable ailments, as it is considered to carry the divine grace of the deity.
Temple Layout
Temple Entrance
There is no Rajagopuram in this temple. Instead, the temple has two modest entrances, and in the prakaram between the first and second entrance stand the traditional triad of Kodimaram, Nandi, and Balipeetam. The presiding deity, Manogyanathaswamy, is a Swayambhu Linga enshrined in an east-facing sanctum.
Goddess Sannidhis
There are two separate sannidhis for the Goddess:
- Bhakthabeestha Prathayini
- Sri Anupamasthani
Sacred Trees
The Vilva tree here is regarded as the sacred Sthala Vruksham, and the jackfruit tree within the temple premises is also considered highly divine. Tradition holds that jackfruits plucked from this tree must be offered first to the deity before consumption. If someone takes the fruit away without offering it to the deity, it is believed that the fruit will be found spoiled or decayed when cut.
Temple Theerthams
Devi Theertham, Markandeya theertham, Brahma theertham and Ksheera kundam are the four water bodies associated with this temple.
Prayer and Festival Significance
Significance
- One experiences peace of mind and inner harmony at the divine abode of Sri Manogyanatha Swamy.
- Devotees visit this temple seeking divine blessings for a happy marriage and the gift of childbirth.
- Separated couples too visit this temple, believing that sincere prayers here help them to reunite and restore a harmonious family life.
- Devotees also come here to pray for progress in various aspects of life, including employment, business development, and career advancement.
- It is believed that Sri Manogyanatha Swamy bestows devotees with long life and well-being.
- Devotees perform remedial prayers here to overcome Yama Dosha and Rahu Dosha.
Chithirai Festival
The Chithirai festival celebrated at this temple holds great significance. As a gesture of gratitude for receiving the boon of immortality (Chiranjivi) at this sacred place, Markandeya is believed to have taken the deity in a palanquin on a procession from village to village – Ilanthurai, Enadhimangalam, Thirunageswaram, Thirubhuvanam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Maruthuvakudi – and finally returned to Thiruneelakudi.
Festival Highlights
To commomerate the event, On the twelfth day of the festival, the deity is taken in a palanquin on a grand procession across all seven villages and then brought back to the temple – a spectacular and divine sight cherished by devotees. This sacred procession remains the central highlight of the Chithirai festival celebrated in this temple.
The seven villages are: Ilanthurai, Enadhimangalam, Thirunageswaram, Thirubhuvanam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Maruthuvakudi, and Thiruneelakudi.
Special Feature: As this is the sacred place where Markandeya received the boon of eternal life, the festival procession carries the idol of Markandeya ahead of the presiding deity, positioned so that he faces the 'Urchava idol' in the palanquin throughout the journey. This symbolic portrayal of his everlasting devotion is a unique and divine spectacle seen only in this temple.
Thevaram Connection
The hymn rendered by Thirunavukkarasar in praise of this sacred temple is featured in the 5th Thirumurai. According to the sthala Purana, when the Pallava king, misled by the advice of Jain monks, ordered Appar to be bound to a stone and thrown into the sea, it was this very deity of this temple whom Appar worshipped with deepest devotion – and by the grace of the residing deity, he miraculously emerged alive.
Gallery - TiruNeelakudi
