275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thirunallam/Thirukonerirajapuram Sri Umamaheswarar Temple !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
 
 
 
Thirunallam/Bhumiswaram/Thirukonerirajapuram is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva occupies massive acres of land, famous for its stunning architectural structure and craftsmanship.  The Queen Sembiyan Madhevi, wife of King Kandaraditya of Chola dynasty made abundance of contributions to this temple.

 
 

Presiding deity – Thiru Umamaheswarar/Mamaneeswarar/Umaikkunallar with his consort Goddess Sri Mangala Nayaki/Angavala Nayaki

 
 

Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

Thirunavukkarasar in his famous composition Thevaram affirmed that the visit to this sacred temple would be possible only with the merits accquired in the previous birth.

 
 

Worshipped by – Goddess Shakthi, Goddess Sri Bhudevi, Lord Brahma, Sage Agastya,

 
 

Sthalavruksham –Vilvam

 
 

Theertham – Shakthi Theertham/Brahma Theertham

 
 

Festivals- Maha Shivaratri, Thiru Karthikai, Panguni Uthiram, Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Masi Makam,

                                                                                 
 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Navagrahas, Vaidhyanatha Swamy, Nalvar, Lord Saneeswara, Goddess Durga, Bhairava, Bhrama Lingam, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Agastya Lingam, Lord Nataraja (self-manifested) & Sivakami,  Lord Kalyana Sundareswarar, Kasi Viswanathar & Visalakshy, Chembakavananathar, Lord Suyra, Goshtamurtham – Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, Lingodbhavar, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamurthi, Sage Agastya, Jwaraharar, Lord Gangadhara, Ardhanareeswara,
 
 

 
 
 

The legend has that King Kandaraditya and his wife Sembian Madhevi was zealous devotees of Lord Shiva.  They desired to consecrate a spectacular statue of Lord Nataraja appealing to everyone’s eyes.  The command of the King and specifications of idol were informed to a renowned artisan lived in this village.  The works were enthusiastically carried out by the craft man; the heated metal components added in proportions were poured in a mold and anxiously waited for the statue.  The idol came out of the mold was not desired by the King.  The works carried out were repeatedly rejected by the King for three times.   Finally, a strict warning was issued to the craft man; if he fails to complete the work in a stipulated period he would be exiled or chopped off his head. 

 
 


The craft person was completely distraught at the verdict of the King.  He initiated the statue work earnestly praying to Lord Shiva.  The days were moving very fast, there was not enough time to complete the work.  He was totally inconsolable; he was gazing at the molten metal and sat down with heartfelt prayers.  Soon, there appeared an old man and his wife requesting water to quench their thirst.  The craft person irritatingly replied them to drink the molten metal.  The old couple amicably took the molten metal in a cup and gulped down.   The craft person was horrified at this bizarre act, instantaneously the old couple turned out stunning idols of Lord Nataraja & Goddess Sivakami.

 
 

Shortly, the idols were kept for the final inspection of the King.   The King and his queen were astounded to see the fascinating beauty of the idols.   The craft person narrated the mysterious incident took place behind the creation of idols.  But the King was not willing to believe any of his words and blamed him untruthful.    Infuriatingly raised the sword and it struck on the left feet of the idol of Lord Nataraja.   Immediately, the blood spurted out of the idol as a result the King was afflicted with leprosy.  As everyone witnessing, the compassionate Lord Shiva appeared with Goddess Sri Parvati.  Lord instructed the King to undergo severe austerities and worship the Linga positioned here as Lord Vaidhyanatha.  King sincerely followed the divine instruction and got relieved from the illness.   

 
 

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evening.

 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
 
 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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