VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Nandanar Madam and Temple, A Journey on foot path of Nandanar as Thirunalai povar, one of the 63 Nayanmar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Friday, 20 July 2018

Nandanar Madam and Temple, A Journey on foot path of Nandanar as Thirunalai povar, one of the 63 Nayanmar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th July 2018

On the Footpath of Nandanar... a visit to the places and the temples associated with Nandanar also called Thirunalai Povar, one of the 63 Nayanmars was organized by Prof Madhusuthanan Kalaiselvan and the songs composed by Sri Gopalakrishna Bharathi are rendered by Vidwans Bharat Sundar and Sunil Gargyan between 14^th July & 15^th July 2018. After completing the visit to Thirupungur and lunch on 15^th July 2018, we headed to our next destination Nandanar Madam, in the south part of Chidambaram.

Nandanar gave initiation to the Andhanar, with whom he worked. The Andhanar also became a devote of Lord Shiva and requested Nandanar to proceed to Chidambaram. When he reached Chidambaram, he could see the smoke emanating from the homam conducted by the rishis and Vedhiyars. The inferiority complex of being born into the Pulayar caste, developed within him stopped to enter inside the Chidambaram. So he circumambulates the temple city for three whole days and stays on a coconut farm in the south part of Perumpatrappuliyur now called Thillai or Chidambaram. The rest of the story will be written along with Thillai Natarajar Darshan.

In remembrance of Nandanar’s stay, a Madam was established by his devotees. About 200 – 300 years before a temple with brick and lime mortar was also constructed facing north. From the reliefs carved above the entrance, this temple was most probably constructed by Nayaks. The temple seemed to be unfinished but looked in good condition. Walls are not plastered and floors are not laid.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum and artha mandapam. In the artha mandapam Vinayagar on the left and Dhandayuthapani on the right. In the sanctum, Nandanar is Nandhamaa Munivar standing to a height of 5 feet on a pedestal facing Thillai Natarajar. The head is with Jada makutam and a beard, Rudraksha beads mala on his neck and hands. The hands are in folded position. Yagnopaveetha with three threads is also shown. A light can be seen from the eyes and bright thejas on his face. Durvasa Maharishi statue is also there on the right side of Nandanar. The temple might have been maintained by the Durvasa Maharishi-related mutt.

Now, around the temple, complete space has been encroached upon by the people displaced from the Kollidam flood. It was said that last 30 years pooja was conducted by a lady and the same was stopped after her demise. Debris were thrown inside the temple and became the hiding place for the snakes. The temple came to light through Prof Madhusuthanan Kalaiselvan and his team. Chidambaram municipal Corporation also cleared debris. During our visit, Pooja was conducted and Vidwan Bharat Sundar sang a song from Nandanar Charithram composed by Gopalakrishna Bharathi.

HOW TO REACH:

The Nandanar temple is on the south of Chidambaram on Nandanar Street, Senkaddaan Street.

LOCATION: GPS Co-Ordinates: 11deg12’ 52.95” and 79deg 43’ 37.17”