Swarnakadeswarar Temple, Neivanai, Villupuram
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Swarnakadeswarar |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Neivanai |
| District:: | Villupuram |
| Address: | Swarnakadeswarar Temple,Neivanai (Nelvennai),Kuvadu Post, Erayur Via, Ulundurpet, Taluk,Villupuram District – 607201 |
| Phone | +91 4149 291786 |
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. As the residence of the priest is just near the temple, the devotees can have the darshan of the Lord any time.
Festivals
Tirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Shivarathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar) and Arudra Dharisanam in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) are the major festivals celebrated in this Temple with much fanfare. Pradosham is also observed regularly. Special pujas are offered to Lord Bhairavar on new moon days.
Prayers
People pray to Lord for release from sins, for wisdom and prosperity in family. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and contribute for the maintenance of the temple. Devotees believe that performing poojas by applying white butter on the lingam (Vennai Kappu in Tamil) will remove obstacles from marriage proposals, help them get better job opportunities and relieve them from their debts.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Swarnakadeswarar:
Once the place was very fertile with paddy fields and people were happy and prosperous. Wealth and luxuries made people forget God. Lord directed Varuna the God of rain to pour his power incessantly in the region. Heavy floods began to threaten their safety. Lakes, tanks and all water resources began to breach. People ran to Lord for safety. Lord came as a youth, asked the people to bring all the paddy bags from their homes and built a dam preventing further calamity. Though the people lost their possessions, they praised the youth as their saviour.
He said that God was the giver of prosperity and they should not be ungrateful to the Almighty. The young man gave them pots of gold (Swarna) and advised them to recover the loss by using it and disappeared. When the villagers were wonderstruck, Lord appeared before them as Swayambu. People built the temple then. As the Lord gave them Swarna-gold, He is praised as Swarnakadeswarar.
Nel Anai:
Since Lord Shiva himself built the dam (Anai in Tamil) with paddy (Nel in Tamil) the place was named Nel Anai which later changed as Neivanai.
Saint Gnana Sambandhar in dancing form:
The legend has that Saint Gnana Sambandhar arrived on this land and found the entire area was sunk in the darkness. He was struggling to find the exact location of the temple, instantaneously Lord instructed Goddess to assist Sambandhar to find the location. Mother Parvati guided Gnana Sambandhar to this temple affectionately addressing him ‘My dear child’. As soon as he heard the sweet nectar like voice of Mother Parvati, Sambandhar was in an ecstasy danced and sung praising the compassionate Goddess Parvati. The place from where Mother called the child saint is called Ethalavadi nearby. In this temple Sambandhar can be seen in his dancing form.
Disciples of Lord Dakshinamurthy worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that sages Sanakar, Sanatana, Sanandhana and Sanathkumara have worshipped Lord Shiva here. These four saints are collectively called Kumaras or Sanakadi. These four sages are believed to have roamed the universe in the form of young children. As per Hindu mythology, they are described as the “first mind-born-sons” (Manasaputras) or spiritual sons of Lord Brahma. They are the disciples of Lord Dakshinamurthy.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Lord Brahma’s Manasaputras and Sage Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada had worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Kiliyur, 12 Kms from Elavanasur, 15 Kms from Ulundurpet, 18 Kms from Rishivandiyam, 24 Kms from Koovagam, 24 Kms from Thiruvennainallur, 30 Kms from Thirukoyilur, 51 Kms from Villupuram, 138 Kms from Trichy and 222 Kms from Chennai.
By Road:
Thirunelvennai is 15 Kilometers northwest of Ulundurpet in the Chennai-Tiruchirappalli Highway. Neivanai is situated on the Ulundurpet to Thiruvennainallur route via Adhanur. You can either take a right before Ulundurpet or go through the town and reach the temple. Bus facilities are available only at specific hours. A mini bus is also available to this village. Share autos are available from Ulundurpet.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Stations are located at Ulundurpet (16 Kms), Thirukkovilur (34 Kms) and Villupuram (57 Kms).
By Air:
Nearest Airports are located at Trichy (143 Kms) and Chennai (202 Kms).
Contact Details
Swarnakadeswarar Temple,
Neivanai (Nelvennai),
Kuvadu Post, Erayur Via,
Ulundurpet, Taluk,
Villupuram District – 607201
Phone: +91 4149 291786
Mobile: +91 94862 82952 /90477859144