Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Thirunallar/Navagra
Kshetram /Saptha Vidanga Kshetram/Darbaranyam/Nakavidangapuram/Nalechuram/ is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam located
in between Arasilaru & Vanchanadhi in Karaikkal, Puducherry District, Tamil
Nadu. This is one of the prominent
temples of Lord Shiva built by the Kings of Chola Dynasty; it occupies huge
acres of land famous for its stunning architectural and murals, also known as
Navagra Kshetram famous for the worship of Lord Shaneeswara (Saturn). In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the
form of a self-manifested Linga.
Presiding
deity – Thiru Dharbaranyeswarar/Nallar with his consort Goddess Sri
Pranambikai/Pokamarnthapoonmulaiyal
Vimanam -
Gajabrushta Vimanam
Mangalasasanam
– Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Sundarar
There was a
time the Kingdom of Pandya was under the evil influence of Jainism. The King Koonpandya who was a firm follower
of Jainism, thus the entire Kingdom was under the clutches of Jain principles of
Philosophies. Once, Thiru Gnana
Sambandhar was invited to Madurai to be present at the debate with the Jains, in
order to prove the superiority of Shaiva Sidhhantha. In this huge dispute the Jains were made an
effort to prove their superiority by hurling the palm leaves contains the
principles and philosophies of Jainism to the blaze, instantly those were burnt
into ashes. Sambandhar tossed the
scripts praising the glories of ‘Pokamarnthapoonmulaiyal’ (Presiding deity of
Thirunallar) into the blaze, surprisingly the palm leaves remained
untouched. Thus, Sambandhar proved the
grandeur of Shaiva Siddhantha and reinstated the faith of Lord Shiva in
Madurai.
Worshipped
by – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Indra, Ashtadikpalakas, Sage Agastya, Sage
Pulastya, Arjuna, Emperor Nala,
Theertham –
Nala Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Saraswathi Theertham
Sthalavruksham
– Dharba,
Sannidhis –
Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses
Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Thyagaraja/Saptha Vidangar (Unmathha Nadanam)
& Neelothpalambal, Lord Shaneeswara, Pancha Bootha Lingas, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Chandikeshwara,
Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, 63 Nayanmars, Linga worshipped by Emperor Nala,
Saptha Vidanga Lingam, Sapthamathas, Marakatha Lingam, Lord Adishesha,
Nalanarayana Perumal, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Lord Bhairava, Goshtamurtham –
Lord Dakshinamurthi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Brahma, Goddess Sri Durga,
Festivals –
Maha Shivaratri, Vaikasi Visakam, Masi Makam, Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi
Annabhishekam, Markazhi Utsavam, Thiru Karthikai, Navaratri, Karthikai Deepam,
The legend
has that Emperor Nala had to undergo relentless hardships due to the adverse
effects of Lord Shaneeswara, eventually he lost his Kingdom, glories and
family. He arrived on this sacred land;
had holy dip in the pond created by him and worshipped Lord
Dharbaranyeswara. Finally King Nala
regained his lost glories with the blessings of Lord.
Another
legend has that the Emperor Muchukunda underwent austerities and worshipped Lord
Shiva. Lord was pleased at the devotion
of Emperor and instructed to collect an exceptional idol of Lord Shiva &
Goddess Sri Parvati along with Lord Subramanya which was worshipped by Lord
Vishnu, later it was given to Lord Indra.
Emperor Muchukunda approached Lord Indra and earnestly prayed for the
idol. Lord Indra was not willing to give away the
idol of Lord Somaskandha received from Lord Vishnu. He instructed the Emperor to construct six
sacred shrines; it was dutifully followed by him. Later, the original idol of Lord Somaskandha
was provided to him. The temples built
by Emperor Muchukunda were collectively known as Saptha Vidanga Kshetram. They are Thirunallar, Thiruvaimur,
Thirumaraikkadu, Thirukkolili, Thirukkaravasal, Thirunagai Karonam and
Thiruvarur. Thiruvarur was the place
where the original image of Lord Somaskanda worshipped by Lord Vishnu was
installed.
This temple
remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.30 PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 9.00PM in the
evenings.
Jaya Jaya
Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman
Narayana !!
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