The visit to this Sri Nelleeswarar
Temple at Nellikuppam was a part of the “Shiva & Vishnu Temples, Hero Stones
and Heritage Sites Visit”, from Ponmar to Karunilam, near Guduvanchery, in
Chengalpattu District on 24th October 2023. This Shiva Temple was at a main road
turning point. Due to the expansion of the road, the old temple was moved to this place
in a spacious area.
Moolavar : Sri Nelleeswarar
Consort : Sri Mangalambigai
Some of the salient features of this
temple are…
The temple faces east with
balipeedam and Rishabam, Vinayagar, and Murugan at the entrance of Ardha Mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.
In the praharam, an old Rishabam in front
of the Bilva tree (maybe the original one of the Chozha period ), Chandikeswarar, Ambal,
Navagrahas, and Bairavar.
Ambal Sri Mangalambigai is in a
separate sannidhi in the mukha mandapam facing south. Ambal is standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The whole temple was constructed
with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and the open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam.
The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattika. The bhitti starts with vedikai, and the pilasters are of brahma kantha
pilaster. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The
Vimanam is of two tiers with adhi talam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtas. The sigaram is of the vesara style.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTION
This place was named after the Nelli
tree (amla tree) and Nellikuppam similar to the place in Cuddalore District. The Moolavar and the Rishabam are in a small sannidhi under a peepal tree. During
our search, we found a damaged, broken inscription, which belongs to the original
temple.
The damaged and incomplete (without
starting) inscription may belong to the 13th to 14th
Century. This inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp and the
Chekku oil to be supplied. The inscription ends with Ombadaikilavi, which is only clear. The
grantha -ம்
appears, making this inscription Unique and special, which was followed since the Pallava period, i.e., 7th to 8th Century. Hence, it is
presumed that the original temple might have existed in this place since the Chozha
period or even before.
This temple Maha Kumbhabhishekam was
conducted in 2022.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special
poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, Arudra darshan,
Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi, etc.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open
from 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
HOW
TO REACH
The temple at Nellikuppam is 13 km from Maraimalai Nagar, 14 km from Thiruporur, 19.9 km from Kelambakkam, and 66
km from Chennai Central Station.
The nearest Railway Station is
Maraimalai Nagar.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
good article,,thanks,,k,sridaran..
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