The
architecturally beautiful unfinished tower is the highlight of the
temple. The area behind the tower is an open space with a small four-pillared mandapa and a small shrine of Lord Shiva.
The Shiv Linga
and the adjoining Nandi idol are located slightly underground. Shiva is
named as Chottrudai Eswarar in this shrine. As per the legend, the saint
Tirunavukkarasar suffered with hunger; Shiva took the form of a Brahmin
and fed him in this place.
There
is another three tiered tower with a small shrine for Ganesha in the
entrance. The tower is named as 'Ravanan Gopuram'. Outside the tower on
the right side, there is a cave temple constructed by Pallavas .
Shiva and Parvati are found in the sitting posture.
Lord Skanda as an infant is found between them. Yama - the God
of death, is found in the form of infant at the feet of Lord Shiva.
People call this as Yama temple as it is rare to find a separate shrine
for Yama. As
per the legend, Lord Shiva killed Yama in order to protect his devotee
Markandeya. Based on the request from the Devas, Shiva gave him re-birth
in this site and hence he is found in the form of a infant.
The
temple does not have Navagrahas (nine planets). Instead, the small
holes near the Nandi statue and the nine steps at the Ravanan tower
represent the nine planets.
The
second prakara has the bas-relief images of Sapta Matas, Ganesha idol
and shrine of Shanmukha with his consorts. There are two Goddess shrines
in this temple; both are located in the second prakara and both are
named as Vishalakshi.Separate bali peetha, flag post and Nandi idols are found in front of Shiva shrine as well as Goddess shrine.
The site where Nataraja appeared to Vashist is called as Ratna Sabha which is found inside the main shrine.
God - Neelakanteswar, Neelivananathar, Kathalivasanthar, Aadavidangar
Goddess - Vishalakshi
Holy tree of the site (Stala Vruksha) - Neeli Valai (Plantain tree)
Teerth - Appar Teerth
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 6am - 12.30 Noon & 4.00pm - 8.00pm.
Tiruppainjeeli is a village located near Trichy in
Tamil Nadu. This temple is considered
as the 61st site among the Tevara Paadal Petra Stalams located in Chola country north of
Kaveri river. The
temple complex contains a cave shrine built by Mahendravarma Pallava 7th century AD.
It is considered as the temple of Yama.Plantain
tree is being worshiped here. Even people from the other religions
(non-Hindus) participate in the pooja which is popular in this locality.There is no Navagraha in this temple. The steps leading to the main shrine are considered as Navagrahas.
The site was sung by Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar.The site is named after a kind of plantain tree called Neeli.
The
sage Vashist got the darshan of Lord Nataraja (Shiva in the dancing
posture) in this site. As per another legend, Parvati performed penance
towards Shiva in this temple; She made Sapta Matas as Neeli plantain
trees. It is believed that Neeli kind of plantain trees are found only
in this site,if any human eats them, he/she will suffer from disease or
fever.
The
sanctum sanctorum has a very small idol of Shiv Linga named as
Neelivananathar. The wall around the sanctum sanctorum has Dakshinamurthy, Ardha Nareeswarar and Bhikshadanar idols as the Goshta
idols. Chandikeshwara idol is also found as usual in the first prakara.
Do's:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.