Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy in the temple. There are five Shivalingas in the temple worshipped by the five Pandava brothers, Dharma, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.
Shrine’s History
During their exile, Pandava brothers stayed in this place for some time. They could not get Shivalingas for their worship here. They lit lamps in the Iluppai nuts and worshipped the Lord in meditation. Lord granted darshan to them individually. They prayed to the Lord that He should grace all devotees from this place. He appeared then as five Shivalingas as prayed by the Pandava brothers. Hence, there are five Lingas (Panchalingas) in separates shrines in the temple.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The Linga is a Swayambu ? that which exists of itself. The body of the Linga is rough and not soft. The leaves of the Vilwa Tree have five petals against the usual 3 petals found in this tree generally. It is here Rishi Markandeya got the boon of Chiranjeevi status ? total freedom from death. There are two Goddesses here, Oppilamulai Amman in a wedding pose and Bakathapeeshtapradayini ? gracing the devotee of his/her desires, in a penance pose. It is on this holy soil, Dakshayini joined the Lord again after returning from Daksha Yaga.
Varuna , angels worshipped here. Brahma, Devaganda, Vasishta, Soorapanma, Kamadenu performed penances here and got relieved of sins. A place praised in the hyms of Appar Swamigal in his Thevaram. When the Jains tied Appar and threw him, he worshipped Neelakandeswara in his celebrated hymn Kallinodu Aman Kaiyar in this temple. A celebrated Shiva sthala having holy springs Brhmma theertham, Ksheeragundam, Devi theertham and Markandeya theertham. The antiquity of the temple goes back to more than 2000 years.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
This place is just around 15 km away from Kumbakonam and bus services can easily be accessed to reach the temple.
By Rail
The nearest railway station to the temple is Kumbakonam railway station.
By Air
The closest airport to the temple is Trichy airport.
Shrine Timings
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
15 days Brammotsavam during Chithirai month. Rishi Markandeya initiated this. All these days, the deity is taken in procession. The deity is taken not only within Thiruneelakudi but to all the 18 villages around Neelakudi. Thiruvadirai, Adipooram, Karthikai Deepam, monthly pradosha days, Deepavali, Pongal and New year days of both Tamil and English calendars are observed as important festival days in the temple.
