Sri Gneelivaneswarar Temple / Gneeli Vaneswarar Temple / Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple, ஞீலிவனேசுவரர் கோயில், திருப்பைஞ்ஞீலி / Thiruppainjeeli / Thiruppangali, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

This temple is the 115^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 61^st Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called Gneelivanam, Kathalivanam, Vimalaranyam, TharaLagiri, Swethagiri, and Vyagrapuri during ancient times and is now called Thiruppainjeeli. This is one of the 44 Paadal Petra Shiva Temples, where moovar (Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar  has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva).

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that, Thirugnanasambandar, visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupalachilachiramam also known as Thiruvasi Temple. ( 322 )

பண்பயில் வண்டுஇனம் பாடும் சோலைப் பைஞ்ஞீலி பாணர்கழல் பணிந்து

மண்பரவும் தமிழ்மாலை பாடி வைகிவணங்கி மகிழ்ந்த போந்து

திண்பெருந் தெய்வக் கயிலையில் வாழ் சிவனார் பதிபல சென்று இறைஞ்சிச்

சண்பை வளம் தரும்நாடர் வந்து தடம்தரு ஈங்கோய் மலையைச் சார்ந்தார்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

ஆரிடம் பாடிலர் அடிகள் காடலால்

ஓரிடம் குறைவிலர் உடையார்  கோவணம்

நீரிடம் சடைவிடை யூர்தி நித்தலும்

பாரிடம் பணிசெயும் பயில்பைஞ் ஞீலியே

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

உடையர் கோவணம் ஒன்றும் குறைவிலர்

படைகொள் பாரிடம் சூழ்ந்தபைஞ் ஞீலியார்

சடையிற் கங்கை தரித்த சதுரரை

அடைய வல்லவர்க்கு இல்லை அவலமே

....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

மத்த மாமலர்க் கொன்றை வன்னியும் கங்கை யாளொடு திங்களும்

மொத்த வெண்டலை கொக்கி றஃகொடு வெள்ளெ ருக்கமுஞ் சடையதாம்

பத்தர் சித்தர்கள் பாடி ஆடும் பைஞ் ஞீலி யேனென்று நிற்றிரால்

அத்தி யீருரி போர்த்தி ரோசொலும் ஆர ணீய விடங்கரே

........ சுந்தரர்

                                                    -- மானைப்போன்

மைஞ்ஞீல வாட்கண் மலராள் மருவிதிருப்

பைஞ்ஞீலிமேவும் பரம்பரமே

........... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Neelavaneswarar, Sri Gneeli Vaneswarar,

                  Sri Kathali Vasanthar,  Sri Aaranya Vidankan

                  Sri Chottrudaya Eswarar      

Consort    : Sri Vishalakshi Ambal, Sri Neelanedungkanni

Sthala Viruksham : Gneeli Tree ( Kathali Plantain Tree / Kalvazhai )

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with 3-tiers Rajagopuram and mottai Gopuram. The mottai gopura was not fully constructed / might have been damaged during the Muslim invasion. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishaba ( believed to be of Swayambhu ) are in the mukha mandapam. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( Rishabam is also shown under Shiva’s feet ), Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.  

In Prakaram Vasantha Vinayagar, Adhikara Vallavar ( Yamathamaraja Sannadhi ), Chottrudaya Eswarar, Vinayagar, Murugan, Somaskandar, Arthanareeswarar, Mahalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Saptamatrikas, Kasi Viswanathar, Sudharma  Munivar, the Guardian deities Chinnandavar, Periyandavar, Sri Arumuga Perumal, Sri Senthamaraikannan, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar and Sri Dakshayani Ambika Sametha Imruthayanjar.  

In Adhikaravallavar Sannadhi, Lord Shiva with Parvati and Murugan as Somaskandar. Yama is in the form of a child near lord Shiva’s feet. Near the ceiling, Surya and Chandra are as samaratharis. This shrine is called as “Yama Dharma shrine”. The Shrine is in the form of a cave about 6 feet below the ground level and is believed to have been constructed during Mahendra Varma Pallava ( 640 CE ).

There are no Navagrahas in this temple, instead, there are 9 holes ( “குழி -Kuzhi” on floor stone) in front of Nandhi. These are considered Navagrahas and people used to light lamps in the holes. Sudharma Munivar’s jeeva Samadhi is in the outer parakara.

There are two Ambal sannadhis and one is facing South. The main Ambal sannathi is an old one, on the left side of Moolavar facing east.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam spread over 12 acres. There is an entrance arch and 1^st level Rajagopuram base (which seems to be of Pallava construction ) and the second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. A Two-tier Nagara Vimana is on the sanctum.

The First Level Mottai Gopuram

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, and Sundarar have sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century. It is believed that the original temple was built by Pallavas ( 2^nd entrance where Lord Shiva offered food to Appar belongs to the Pallava Period and now the same is below the ground level )

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Rajendra Chozha-I, Rajathirajan-I Koparakesari Tribhuvana Chakravarthy Rajarajan, Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi Konerimaikondan periods. Some of the inscriptions start with their mei keerthi or the title. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called Thiruppainjeeli Udayar, Thiruppainjeeli Udaya Nayanar. This place was mentioned as Rajendra Chingavalanattu Thaniyur, Thiruvellarai, Thiruppainjeeli, Rajathirajavalanattu Vadavazhinattu Thirupaingneeli. The donations were made to this temple at Melaichery “Moolavarudayar” place sabha.

Rajathirajan’s 27^th reign year inscription starts with his full meikeethi records the donation of Lands as irayili after the sale to this temple, by Uthama Chozha Nallurudayan Venkadan Sankaranarayan alias Thandanayakan Rajathiraja Pallavarayan.  The Lands are located in different places with different persons. The inscription was inscribed in three sections with 107 lines. In this inscription, Senthamarai Kannan Sannadhi is also mentioned. Since the inscription was damaged in many portions, a part may be given to this sannadhi also.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 6^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam Porikayamuthu, Adaikayamuthu, Pakku / betel nut 5, leaf one adukku, on behalf of  Pachil Koottrathu Keel palarRu ... Nagaiyurudayan Pokkan Kozhampathadigal alias Rajendra Chozha Chembian Marayan, his mother Nakkan Senthan. For the same, she had gifted 150 Kasu, and the same was received by Melaichery Maniambalaththu Perumakkal ( Sabha ).

Rajathirajan’s .... 64th-day reign inscription records the endowment of a burning perpetual lamp by Thandanayakka Thadarkizhan Rajaraja Mathuranthakan alias Rajathiraja Ilango Velan for which 90 Sava moova peradu ( Velladu )/ Sheep/Goats.

Rajaraja-III’s 25^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Artha mandapam, Thirumandapam for which Lands 425.75 ma are donated after sale to this temple’s Aadhi Chandeswarar and an amount of 14000 kasus.

The Thirubhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimaikondan period inscription records that a donation was made for the construction/ renovation of the unfinished gopuram and other renovations / thirupani,  for which land was donated to this temple. This inscription permits to raise the crops like Kamuku, Sugarcane, Kozhunthu, and Chengazhuneer ( Flower ). This was given by the King since no donor’s name was mentioned and also the donation will affect Karthigai Month 31^st day.

Pandya King Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi Pandiyathevar period inscription records the gift of land to this temple Lord Gneelivaneswara Thambiran.

Another Inscription saka 1112 ie 1190 CE, records the endowment for Celebrating the Thirukkalyanam ( Lord Shiva's Marriage with Parvati ) on Chithirai Vishu day for which 50 pon was gifted to this temple.   

Another inscription starts with Thiribhuvana Rayan Sri Mathuranthaka Udayar, which records the gift of Vahana for Vinayagar at Sri Vadakarai Sri Rajendra Chozha Valanadu. A Sanskrit inscription records the Good qualities, one should have.   

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 06^th Feb 2003 and later on 02^nd Feb 2017.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions

LEGENDS

It is believed that Ma Parvati, Maha Vishnu, Indran, Kamadhenu, Adhiseshan, Agni, Vayu, Rama, Arjuna, Vasishta, Sudharma Munivar, Sapta rishis, Musukunda Chakravarti, Kaliyuga Rama Pandyan, Viyakirasuran, Sivamithira, Padumakarpam, Sudharman and Ankamithiran worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Lord Shiva is called by 43 different names and some of them are Kathalivananathar, Sakrathyagar, Aranyavidangar, Neelakandar, and Gneelivananathar.

It is believed that both fruits and unripe plantain from the Sthala Vruksham after offering to Lord Shiva will be let into the water and not given as prasada to devotees. It is believed that if consumed will be infected with deceases. 

As per another legend, there was a conflict between Vayu and Adhiseshan regarding who was great. In that, Adhiseshan holds Mount Kailash and Vayu tries to blow out from the hold. Some pieces had blown out from Mount Kailash and fallen down on the earth. One of the pieces had fallen down this place, Thiruppainjeeli, hence called Then Kailayam.

In another legend, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal was traveling to this temple. He was very tired and feeling very hungry. Lord Shiva came in the form of Andhanar and asked Appar, the purpose of travel. After hearing this, the Andhanar offered food that he was carrying. The Andhanar also guided him to the temple and disappeared. Appar realized that the Andhanar was none other than Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva with Parvati appeared as Rishabaroodar and gave darshan. Hence Lord Shiva was called Chottrudaya Eswarar. This event is celebrated in the month of Chithirai on Avittam Star Day ( April May ).

  

Sthala purana.. Lord Shiva offered food for Appar

This is one of the parihara Sthalam to relieve obstacles for the marriage. In the priharam formal marriage rituals are conducted treating sthala vruksham Gneeli Plantain Tree ( Kal Vazhai ) as bride/life partner. A lot of Unmarried boys and Girls throng this Temple especially on Sundays to do this parihara pooja. Devotees also pray Ambal for Child Boon. The Sashti Aptha Poorthi celebration is also conducted in this temple.

The Sthala Viruksham - Gneeli ( Kathali ) Plantain

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Thai Poosam day in the month Thai ( Jan- Feb  ) to Lord Yama, Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), 10 days Brahmotsavam in the month Chithirai ( April – May ), Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Guru pooja, Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sep ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi (Sept-Oct) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline and mobile numbers +91 431 223 0257, +91 431 2902654, 2560011, 2560813, and +91 97901 07474 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH  : 

Town bus route No: 27  from Tiruchirappalli,  Chatram bus stand passes through this temple.

The temple is 7 Km from Manachanallur, 25 km from Tiruchirappalli, 73 km from Thanjavur, and 323 km from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station ( Pichandarkoil ) / Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---