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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.