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🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Thandalacherry, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu
Tiruthandalaineeneri Neenerinathar Temple is an important ancient Shiva temple situated at Thandalacherry in Tiruvarur district. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Neenerinathar, while Goddess Parvati is known as Gnanambikai. The historical name of the sacred place is Tiru Thandalai Neel Neeri.
One of the greatest distinctions of this temple is its status as one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. These are the sacred Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram hymns of the Tamil Shaiva Nayanmar saints. Tirugnanasambandar praised the deity of this temple in his Tevaram hymns.
Traditional temple sources identify this shrine as the 227th Tevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 110th Paadal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of the Cauvery in Chola Nadu.
The temple has a strong connection with Arivattaya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. According to the traditional account, Arivattaya Nayanar attained mukti at this sacred place. This gives the temple an important place in the history of Tamil Shaiva devotional tradition.
The temple is also traditionally included among the Maadakkoils associated with Kochengat Chola. The existing stone structure is associated with later Chola-period development, with subsequent maintenance and renovation attributed to later periods and local patrons.
The temple therefore combines Tevaram heritage, Nayanmar history, Chola architectural tradition and the spiritual traditions of the Cauvery Delta.
The ancient sacred name of the place was Thandalai Neeneri, while the present settlement is known as Thandalacherry or Thandalaicheri. The temple belongs to the historic Shaiva landscape of the Cauvery Delta.
Because Tirugnanasambandar composed Tevaram hymns in praise of the deity, traditional historians consider the shrine to have existed at least by the 7th century, although the present structural form developed through later rebuilding and additions.
The temple is traditionally counted among the Maadakkoils associated with Kochengat Chola. Later, the temple was reconstructed in stone during the Chola period and subsequently maintained or extended during later historical periods, including the Nayaka and Maratha periods. Local Nattukottai Nagarathar patrons also played a role in later maintenance.
The temple has a particularly important connection with Arivattaya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. Traditional accounts describe this temple as the place where the saint attained mukti. His devotion is remembered through special worship and Arivattaya Nayanar Guru Pooja, also known locally as the Aruppu Thiruvizha.
The temple underwent major renovation in modern times, and a Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 7 November 1985 under the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham's Pon Vizha scheme, according to the temple-history source.
Thus, the history of Neenerinathar Temple extends from the early medieval Tevaram period through Chola temple development and later renovation, while continuing as an active place of worship today.
No daily poojas available.
No special rituals available currently.
No festivals available.
Dress Code: Traditional and modest dress recommended.
Photography: No
Prasad: Available
Prasad Details: Temple prasadam/naivedyam according to temple arrangements.
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