The lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of
Saints Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 34th Shiva
temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.
Lords Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva grace the devotees from the
goshta wall behind main Shiva shrine. The temple was built by Maharani
Sembian Madhevi, queen of Kandarathitha Chola and grandmother of Rajaraja
Chola. There is a separate temple for Lord Vaidyanathaswami. Lord
Arasamara Vinayaka adores the temple. The vimana above the sanctum
sanctorum is of Ashtadwarapala design.
Mother Durga facing west blesses the devotees. It is
said that after the bone chilling experience in Tirukadayur, Yama the God of
Death came to this place, worshipped Mother Durga to recover from the
shock.
There are six Vinayakas in a single shrine looking like an assembly of
Vinayakas. According to scriptures, Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva
worshipped here. It is also believed that prayer in the shrine during the
Pradosha time each day (4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) brings in multiple benefits to
the devotee. As the deities of the 8 directions Ashtadig Balakas worshipped here, they have their due places in the vimana.
16 Siddhas had prayed here seeking the mercy of Lord. There are three
Chandikeswars in the temple. Lord Agasthya had the Wedding Darshan of
Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi with Lord Vishnu offering His sister to
Shiva. To please king Varaguna Pandya, Lord and Mother drank the boiling
panchaloka metal mixture for the correct shaping of Lord Nataraja idol.
They granted darshan to the king as Lord Nataraja and Mother Sivakami.
There is no Lord Nataraja procession in three places Madurai,
Utharakosamangai and Konerirajapuram. Lord Nataraja is more human in look
in this temple. People know this temple as Nataraja temple.
Planet Saturn Sani Bhagwan is facing west. Before their journey to
Tirunallar, Nala and Damayanthi worshipped Sani Bhagwan in this temple and
secured His blessings. While black is the clothing for the planet in
other places, here He graces in white robes. People should light lamps
here with oil produced from white dhil (Vellai Ellu in Tamil). Sage Agasthya
worshipped Lord in this temple.
A king Pururavas by name had an attack of leprosy. He
visited a number of Shiva temples seeking relief. Finally he reached this
temple on the southern bank of Cauvery and was cured. As a token of
gratitude to Lord and prayer commitment, he constructed the Vimana with gold
coverings and arranged Brahmmotsavas during Vaikasi Visakam, according to the
history of land and temple. Lord
Shiva is a swayambumurthy 4.5 feet tall. The vilwa tree, the sthala vruksha of
the temple has 13 leaves in each stem.
Moolavar: Uma Maheswarar, Maamani Eswarar
Pathigam: Thirunavukarasar , Sambandar
Amman / Thayar: Angavala
Nayaki (Deha Sundari), Mangalanayagi
Thala Virutcham: Arasu,
Vilwa
Theertham: Bhoomi
Theertham
Agamam / Pooja: Kamya
Agama
Old year: 1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Thirunallam
This sivasthalam temple is located 8 Kmsfrom Aduthurai which is on the Mayiladuturai Kumbakonam section of national
highway. Nearest town is Kumbakonam. One can travel from either Kumbakonam or
Aduthurai by town bus which goes to a place called Vadamattam and get down at a
place called Konerirajapuram cross road stop. The temple is about 1 Km. From
this cross road stop. Tirukkaruvili Kottittaisivasthalam
is 2 1/2 Kms from here.
Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy 4.5 feet tall
Linga. The Vilwa tree has 13 leaves in each stem. This is the Sthala Vruksha of
the temple.
Two Brahmmotsavas are celebrated in the temple in connection
with Vaikasi Visakam in (May-June) and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in (December-January).
It is the staunch faith of the devotees that any disease of
any severity would be cured if the patient takes a bath in the theertha and
pray to Lord Vaidyanatha. Those suffering from leprosy pray here. Also those facing obstacles in construction works and land disputes pray
here. Those facing problems in trade, wedding proposals and health pray
in the temple on Mondays with abishek to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi
performing Vasudara Yajna for relief.
Lord Tripura Samhara Murthy who burnt the three worlds simply by His laugh, has
a separate shrine. People pray here on Ashtami of new moon fortnight
(eighth day from the full moon day) to conquer fear of death and troubles from
enemies. Students dull in studies due to loss of memory consume the
Gnana Kuzhambu Theertha offered in the temple for best results.
Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother offering vastras
and contribute for the renovation of the temple.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Sri Uma Maheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram Post ? 612 201,
Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam District. Contact Number - +91435
244 9830, 244 9800.
Do:
- 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 Om Namahsivaya or 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.