Sri Uma Maheswarar Temple / Sri Maheswarar Swamy Temple / உமாமகேசுவரர் கோயில், கோனேரிராஜபுரம் / Thirunallam, Konerirajapuram, Mayiladuthurai Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 151^st Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 34^th sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The place where the temple is located is called Thirunallam and the Village is called Konerirajapuram. This temple is locally known as Natarajar Koil.

 

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records, Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiru Vaigal mada koil / Temple. In Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Puranam, Sekkizhar didn’t mention it directly, but Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal visited this temple on the way to Thiruneelakudi from Thiruveezhimizhalai, Thiru Vanniyur, and Thirukaruvili Kottidai.

நிலவுமாளிகை திருநல்லம் நீடுமாமணியை

இலகுசேவடி இறைஞ்சி இன்தமிழ்கொடு துதித்துப்

பலவும் ஈசர்தம் திருப்பதி பணிந்து செல்பவர்தாம்

அலைபுனல் திருவழுந்தூர் மாடக்கோயில் அடைந்தார்

........ திருஞானசாம்பந்தர் புராணம்

வீழி மிழலை தனைப்பணிந்து வேத முதல்வர் தாம் இருப்ப

ஆழி வலம் ஏந்திய அரியால் ஆகாசத்தின் நின்று இழிந்த

வாழி மலர்ந்த கோயில் தனில் மன்னும் பொருளைப் போற்றி இசைத்துத்

தாமும் நாளிற் பிறபதியும் பணியும் காதல் தலைநிற்பார்

......... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

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

கல்லால் நிழல்மேய கறைசேர் கண்டா என்று

எல்லா மொழியாலும் இமையோர் தொழுதேத்த

வில்லால் அரண்மூன்றும் வெந்துவிழ எய்த

நல்லான் நமையாள்வான் நல்ல நகரானே

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

கொல்லத் தான்நம னார்தமர் வந்தக்கால்

இல்லத் தார்செய்ய லாவதென் ஏழைகாள்

நல்லத் தான்நமை ஆளுடை யான்கழல்

சொல்லத் தான்வல்லி ரேல்துயர் தீருமே

....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                                -“பாடச்சீர்

வல்லதமிழ்ப்புலவர் மன்னிவணங்குதிரு

நல்லம் மகிழ்இன்ப நவவடிவே

........ திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Umamaheswarar, Sri Boominathar

Consort    : Sri Angavalanayagi, Sri Thega sundari

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

The temple faces west with a mini 3-tier Rajagopuram. Kodimara Vinayagar, Balipeedam Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of the mandapam. In the sanctum, Moolavar baanam is a little big, about 4.5 feet high on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy Agasthiyar, Jurahareswarar, Lingothbavar, Gangadhara, Arthanareeswarar, and Durgai.

In praharam Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vaithyanathar ( who cured Pururava King’s leprosy),  Yaga Sala, Mahaganapathy, Sri Agneeswarar, Sri Sanathkumara Lingam, Sri Shenbagaranyeswarar, Sri Sundareswarar, Sri Pasupatheeswarar, Sri Kanva Lingam, Sri Kailasanathar, Saneeswarar, and Navagrahas. In the Navagrahas group, all the 8 Grahas are facing Suriyan. There are three Chandikeshwara murtis. Sundara Kusambhigai is in one of the Chandikeswarar Sannadhi. In the inner prakaram Brahma Lingam, Subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi, Natarajar Sabha, Urchava murtis, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Agasthiya Lingam and Bhairavar

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east, like Moolavar. The temple has a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. There is a separate sannadhi for the Tripura Samhara Murti.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. On the Mukha mandapam ceiling are paintings of 63 var, Shiva’s various forms, 12 Rasis, and Maharishis. A Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum. The open Mukha mandapam ceiling has paintings of various deities. In a recent period, an open mandapam was built around the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple existed before the 7^th Century. Chozha King Gandaradithan’s Queen and wife, Sembiyan Mahadevi, is believed to have been built/reconstructed as a Stone temple (Built as a stone structure).

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Rajarajan-I, Rajendran-I, Rajathirajan-I, Rajendran-II, and Kulothunga-Chozha-I. As per the inscriptions, Lord Shiva was called Thirunallam Udayar and Thirunallamaudaya Mahadevar. Most of the inscriptions record the endowment of burning perpetual lamps, sandhi lamps, naivedyam, Thirumanjanam, Garlanding, Nandhavanam, feeding food to Sivayogis, devotees, apoorvis,  a celebration of festivals, etc, for which donations were made in terms of land, Gold, and money.

The Rajakesarivarman Rajarajan period inscription records the endowment of reciting the Thevaram pathigam by Kuttan Thirunavukkaraiyan and another person for which land measuring 18 and 1/8 ma land and a house site was gifted as kani by the temple Sabhai. The order was issued by Udayapirattiyar. During the same King’s period, a Silver Vigraha weighing 424 Kalanju and a Chandikeswarar Cheppu idol measuring 500 palam was gifted by one of the Kaikolar Nakkan Nallatradigal of Iranjarajatterinja Kaikolar community, who was the son of Anukkan Mahamalli and a pendatti (wife) of the velam of Irasakesari Panmar.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 5^th reign year inscription records the gift of Land and a housing site to Vennakannuvan Araiyan Pasuran – ambalavan - mangalapperr, of Puddanur in Marusal Nadu, a Brahmadeya in Kshatriya Sigamani Valanadu by the Sabhai. It is stipulated that this person and his progenies should enjoy the gift by rendering medical service to the people of this place.

As per Udayapiratti’s instruction, Saththan Gunabhattan, Arasaanasekaran constructed a sannadhi. Some of the inscriptions record that Sri Kalisamudayar Temple, Aditheswaramudaya Mahadevar, and Uthama Chozha Vinnagaram, a Vishnu temple, existed in the same place and the gifts made to those temples. Kundavai, the elder sister of Rajaraja-I, established many endowments.

Kulothunga period inscription records that a Vinayagar was installed at Pugalabarana mandapa on the south side of the temple for which a piece of land was gifted as irayili. This was done by a certain TiruchiRRambalamudaiyan alias Paramativakaran of Thirunallam.  

The inscription on a pillar records that Thirunadaimaligai /prakara was constructed by Arulmozhidevan alias Vayanattaraiyar of Adhanur. The same was inscribed in two places / recorded twice. Maybe built two prahara by the same person.

Rajaraja-II’s 25^th reign records that the right of supplying garlands to the temple was purchased from a person called Tiruvilimilalai Udayar of Naganpadi by the temple sabha since he couldn’t meet the demand since the 13^th year. This right was assigned from the 17^th year to .... Selvan alias Porkoyil Solappallavaraiyan and his younger brother Sendappillai alias Rajarajappallavaraiyan, who were temple florists. The Maheswarars and Dhanadar / தானத்தார் decided that they should supply 18250 garlands per year at 50 garlands per day for daily worship, 44000 garlands for the festival in the month of Margazhi, and 77660 garlands for the festival in the month of Vaikasi, a total of 1,39,710  garlands. It is stated that the cost of this amounted to 12(2)00 kasu, and it is equivalent to a seed paddy of 511 and ¼ kalam. To meet the above, the lands on the eastern section of Brahmadeya were assigned to the above two persons, along with houses. At the end of the inscription, it records that,  in case of drought, flood, or Government confiscation, the quantities of the yield would be decided by the Maheswaras and Tanattars, and according to the decision, the number of garlands would be supplied by the florists.

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 15^th reign year inscription records that the Chandeswara Devar stone temple / thirukaRRali was built  by Thittai Vizhumiyan alias Paillaiyadiyar.

The Uttama Chozha’s 14^th reign year inscription records that, an agreement given by the servants of the temple at Thirunallam, a Brahmadeya in Vennadu to provide specified offerings and and worship to Gods, Ganapati Bhattar during 3 services, in the temple, out of endowment of 7 ma land made by a body called the Parameswara Perilamaiyar of the Village.

Ref: 

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume-3, Part-III

2. South Indian Inscriptions Volume 19 and 26

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after renovations on 29^th May 2015.

One of the inscriptions records that Venkipuram Mudalipillai alias ...... gave a gift to construct a Thiruvayil/Gateway  (Gopuram – entrance) to the temple.

Stucco images in front of the Sanctum entrance

Marata period paintings

Marata period paintings

Marata period paintings

Marata period paintings

Marata period paintings

Marata period paintingsMarata period paintingsMarata period paintings

LEGENDS: 

Lord Shiva gave the Kalyana Kola darshan to Agasthiyar. The temple premises are only called Thirunallam. Hence it is very difficult to reach the temple by asking the way to the temple from different places. Those who have the mun/poorva janma prabtham can only get the Darshan and blessings of Lord Shiva of this temple.

As per the legend, the story of making the 7-foot-tall Big Natarajar goes like this. The King ordered to make a big Natajar, If not the head will be severed. During the process, Lord Shiva and Parvati, in the form of an old man and lady, came and asked for water to drink. The sculptor who is in the tension of making this big statue said that he only has the molten metal to offer them if they want. When Lord Shiva and Parvati agreed, the sculptor gave them the molten metal. Lord Shiva and Parvati drank the molten metal, and immediately, they stayed as statues of Nataraja and Sivagami. The sculptor realized that the old Couple was none other than Lord Shiva and Parvati.

This miraculous news was brought to the notice of the King. He refuses to accept the miracle and wants to test the statues. When he hit the Nataraja with his sword blood was oozing out. The King surrendered to Lord Shiva and prayed for pardon. We could see the mole, a scar from a sword hit, and Nails beautifully carved. Also, as per the temple meikavalar and Gurukkal, we can feel the hair on the statue.

Nataraja with Sivakami

As per the Sthala Purana, the original temple was built by Bhoomadevi under the advice of Maha Vishnu. Hence, this place was called Bhoomicharam and Lord Shiva is called Bhoominathar.

It is believed that Bhoomidevi, ma Parvati, Yama, Nandhi, 16 Siddhars, Ashtadikpalakas, Agasthiyar (Lord Shiva gave Kalyana Kola darshan in this temple), Nala and Damayanthi King Pururava, worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. The mantras believed to be chanted by Bhoomadevi and King Pururava are inscribed on the wall of this temple.

This is a parihara sthalam for doshas related to childbirth. Can also pray to Lord Shiva and Ambal for Santhana prapti.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in May- June. and Margazhi Thiruvathirai in December – January. Yearly 6 times abhishekam will be done for Natarajar in the months Chithirai,  Aani, Aavani, Purattasi, Margazhi and Masi, Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani (Aug – September), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi (Oct – Nov), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb – March) and every month pradosam.   

King worships Shiva

Sembiyan Madevi worships Shiva

King worships Shiva

King worships Shiva

King worships Shiva

King worships Shiva

  King worships Natarajar

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs and 12.00 hrs and between 16.30 hrs and 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The mobile and landline numbers +91 9486510515 & + 91 435 2449830 & +91 435 2449800 may be contacted for further details

HOW TO REACH : 

Town bus No 22 from Kumbakonam to Vadamattam passes through this Village Konerirajapuram and the temple Thirunallam is about 500 meters.

On the bus route from Kumbakonam to Karaikal, get down at S. Pudur, and from there, 3 km is the Konerirajapuram. 

This temple and the Village of Konerirajapuram are 4.4 km from Thiru Vaigal, 5.4 km from Thirukozhambam, 10 km from Thiruneelakudi, 21 km from Kumbakonam, 28 km from Mayiladuthurai, 66 km from Thanjavur, and 284 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.   

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Bhairavar

All the 8 grahas facing Suryan

Miniature Sculptures - Uma maheswara

Miniature Sculptures

Miniature Sculptures (Gajasamharamurthy)

Miniature Sculptures ( Mahishamardini)

Miniature Sculptures

Miniature Sculptures (Kannappar purana)

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---