Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. The special feature of the temple is that abishek to Lord is offered with ghee followed by hot water abishek.This temple is one of Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
A cow in this region was habitually pouring its milk at a specific place. The milk impacted by Sun heat and rain changed into ghee. When a shepherd tried to check the cow, it disappeared. He could not know that it was the very divine cow Kamadenu. When people came to the spot and dug the place, they found a Shivalinga here. The news reached the King. He built a temple, performed consecration and arranged abishek with ghee each day. The ghee abishek is followed even now. Ghee means Nei in Tamil, hence the name of the Lord Neiyadi Appar. The place has another story too. A Shiva devotee had the habit of picking the palak leaves while returning after lighting lamps in the temple. He told Lord one day that he was lighting lamps in the temple each day and sought his mercy as he was aging. Lord replied that what mercy remains to be shown to him as he had taken the Palak leaves grown in the temple as wage for the job, according to sthala purana.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The best mode is taking town buses from Kumbakonam or Tanjore. Thillaisthanam-Tiruneithanam is 2 km from Tiruvaiyaru on way to Tirukattupalli.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is in Tanjore.
By Air
The nearest airport is Chennai.
Shrine Timings
The temple is open from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Masi Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.