Visited on: 11th June, 2018.
Location
Naalur Mayanam is situated at a distance of about 16 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Kudavasal route (Via Thirucherai). After reaching Kudavasal, take diversion road from Athikadai bridge to Naalur and proceed further for about 2 kms to reach this place.
In Naalur, there is another Shiva temple, Sri Periya Nayagi with Sri Palasavaneswarar, which is a “Devara Vaippu Sthalam”. This is a Madakkoil built by king Kochengat Cholan.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – Kalayanallur, Karukkudi, Sivapuram, Kudavasal, Naraiyur Siddheecharam, Thirucherai, Arisirkarai Puthur, Penu Perunthurai, Thalaiyalangaadu, Peruvelur, Karaveeram, Kaduvaikarai Puthur (Andankoil) and Thiru Kollamputhur.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Gnanaparameswarar, Sri Mayanathu Paramaswamy, Sri Mayanathu Moolathanathu Peruman
- Ambal
- Sri Gnanambigai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Gnana Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Vilvam tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 96th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but has a beautiful entrance with sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.
- The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 24.01.2007.
History of the Temple
It is believed that this temple was originally built in the early Chola period and later on it was built using granite by Aditya Chola-I.
There are 23 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of various Chola kings starting from Paranthaka Chola-I.
The historical names of this place are Chaturvedi Mangalam, Thirumayanam and Thirumeignanam.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).


Legend
There are four temples in the name of “Mayaanam” (burial ground) - they are
(1) Kachi Mayaanam (Kanchipuram),
(2) Veezhi Mayaanam (Thiruvizhimizhalai)
(3) Kazhi Mayaanam (Sirkazhi) and
(4) Naalur Mayaanam (this temple).
It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Brahma, the four Vedas, Aabasthamba Maharishi and Saint Thirugnanasambanthar have worshipped Lord Shiva here.
The Sanskrit word “Chaturvedi Mangalam” refers to the four Vedas. It is believed that the personified forms of these four Vedas worshiped the lord here. In Tamil this place is referred to as “Naal Vediyur” (“Naal” means four). Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, they can become Vedic scholars.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayagar, Murugan, a few Nagars, Chandikeswarar (2), Dakshinamurthy (2), Athma Lingam, Saneeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan and Navagraham can be seen in the hall and the corridors.
There is a separate shrine for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar in the main hall.
Shivalingams in the names of Sri Amirthakadeswarar, Sri Sattanathar, Sri Ekambareswarar and Veezhiazhagar can also be seen in the corridor.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Pitchandavar, Natarajar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai can be seen.


















Salient Features
It is believed that a snake comes to this temple occasionally and wraps itself around the head of Shivalingam. Interestingly, while praising the lord of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentions the following line - “Paaloorum malai paampum panimadhiyum…..”. This means that the lord here is seen with a big snake.
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also mentioned in his hymn that whoever prays to this lord will be freed from his past sins. He would also be freed from the cycle of death and rebirth and will reach the lord’s abode.
The sanctum sanctorum is in the shape of a square and its tower (“vimanam”) is hemispherical.
Greatness of this temple
Devotees pray to the lord here for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals. They also pray to the lord such that they may be blessed with success in their educational pursuits and prosperity in their lives.
Important Festivals
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are –
Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),
Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov) and
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Temple Timings
From 08:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 05:00 PM to 07:30 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Gnanaparameswarar Swamy Temple,
Thiru Naalur Mayaanam (Thirumeignanam),
Inchikollai Via, Thirucherai Post,
Kumbakonam Taluk,
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu - 612 605.
Sri Kaliyamurthy, in-charge of the temple can be contacted at +91-94867 67962 and 75020 56284.















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