Visited on: June 30, 2018.
Location
Thiru Neithanam is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Thiruvaiyaru. It is located at a distance of about 37 kms from Kumbakonam and 15 kms from Tanjore.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – Thiruvaiyaru, Thirukkandiyur, Thiru Chotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppazhanam and Thiruvirkudi.
General information
- Moolavar
- Sri Neyyadiyappar, Sri Gruthapureeswarar, Sri Pasupatheeswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Ilamangai Ammai, Sri Vaalambigai, Sri Balambigai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- River Cauveri
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Vilvam
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-5
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 52nd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This is one of the “Saptha Sthana” temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
- This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
- The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 09.04.2001.
History of the temple
The historical names of this place are Thiru Neithanam and Thillai Sthanam.
There are 51 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of five Chola kings including Paranthakan-I. In these stone inscriptions this place is referred to as “Rajaraja Valanattu Bainganaattu Thiru Neithanam” and the lord of this temple is praised as Sri Neithanamudaiyar. Most of these inscriptions are related to the endowments and donations made to this temple.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).




Legend
It is believed that the divine cow, Kamadhenu, was habitually pouring her milk in a particular place in this region. The milk turned into ghee under the influence of natural forces like Sun and rain. Once a shepherd noticed Kamadhenu and tried to catch her but she disappeared. Finding the actions of the cow to be very odd, he informed the locals about this incident. They then dug up the place and found a Shivalingam there. When the king was informed about this, he arranged for a temple to be built there. He further made arrangements for abhishekam to be performed there using ghee every day. There is a beautiful relief depicting Kamadhenu worshiping Lord Shiva in the hall. The lord of this temple is praised as “Sri Neyyadi Appar” and this place is known as “Nei Thanam”. This is because Ghee in Tamil is called “Nei”.


According to the Sthala puranam, a Shiva devotee used to light lamps in this temple every day. While returning after lighting the lamps, he had the habit of picking some spinach leaves (“keerai” in Tamil) from the temple. Due to his advancing age, he requested the lord to take care of him as he felt that he had performed his duties by lighting lamps every day. It is believed that Lord Shiva told him that the spinach leaves that he had taken every day were the wage for the work he had done.
It is believed that a Sri Lankan King by the name of Kayavahu worshiped the lord of this temple as his family deity. He arranged for many festivals to be celebrated here.
It is believed that Goddess Saraswathi, Kamadhenu, Sage Gauthama, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) have worshiped the lord here.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Saraswathi, Nagakannigai, Mahalakshmi, Navagraham, Kala Bairavar, Anugraha Bairavar, Chandran and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the main hall and corridors.
Idols of Saneeswarar, Suryan, Adhi Vinayakar and Saraswathi are placed in a row.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Ashtapuja Durgai can be seen.
In the corridor, there are Shivalingams representing all the Sapthasthana temples - Thiruppazhanam, Thiru Neithanam, Thiru Kandiyur, Thiruchotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppunthuruthi and Thiruvaiyaru.
















Salient features
Goddess Parvathy is praised here as Sri Balambikai. As the name suggests, the goddess is believed to be ever youthful in her appearance. This is the only place where Saint Thirunavukarasar has praised the beauty of the goddess in his hymn.
There are two idols of Lord Dakshinamurthy here - one is portrayed in a standing posture and the other one is sitting in front of him.
There is a beautiful idol of Goddess Durgai here where she is depicted with eight hands.
The pillars in this temple have many sculptures of lions. This shows that this temple was renovated by Pallava kings.
Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
It is believed that famous poets from the Chola kingdom - Pugazhendhi and Ottakoothar visited this temple and praised the lord of this temple in their songs.
Sapthasthanam festival
Lord Panchanatheeswarar (Sri Iyyarappar) of Thiruvaiyaru decided to conduct the marriage of Nandhi and Suyasambigai at Thirumazhappadi (a nearby place) on the “Punarpoosam” day of the Tamil month of Panguni. He selected the following places to arrange things required for the marriage.
- Thiruvedhikkudi to get the Vedic Brahmins,
- Thiruppazhanam to get fruits,
- Thiruchotruthurai to arrange food,
- Thirukkandiyur for Kandi (ornaments),
- Thiruppoonthuruthi for fruits and garlands, and
- Thiruneithanam (Thillai sthanam) to get ghee for yagnas.
After the marriage, as a gesture of thanks, it is believed that Lord Panchanatheeswarar and Goddess Dharmasamvardhani visited each of these places in a palanquin. This event is celebrated as “Sapthasthanam”.
Sapthasthanam (seven places) festival is celebrated in Thiruvaiyaru on the “Visakam” day (the day after the full moon) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May) every year.
First palanquin (bedecked with mirrors) carrying the principal deities of Thiruvaiyaru goes to the second temple in procession. Idols of Nandhi along with his wife Suyasambigai also join this procession. The deities of the second temple receive them at the border of the village. After reaching the second temple and performing certain poojas, they join the second temple’s palanquin to the third temple. Like this, the palanquins from six places are joined together and they finally assemble in Thiru Neithanam temple. Thereafter, all the seven palanquins take part in a procession back to Thiruvaiyaru.
Thousands of people come from all over the country to witness this marvellous festival. The palanquins are paraded near the car stand (“Ther-adi”). Devotees also take part in the “Poochorithal” (flower festival) in which an idol offers flowers to the principal deities in the palanquins. After the Poochorithal, the palanquins leave for their respective temples.
The seven temples that are part of this Sapthasthanam festival are -
- Aiyarappar temple, Thiruvaiyaru,
- Apathsahayeswar Temple, Thirupazhanam,
- Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Thiruchotruthurai,
- Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi,
- Kandeeswarar Temple, Thirukkandiyur,
- Pushpavananathar Temple, Thirupanthuruthi and
- Neyyadiappar Temple, Thiru Neithanam (this temple).
Greatness of this temple
It is considered very auspicious to perform “abhishekam” to Lord Shiva here. This abhishekam should be done using cow ghee followed by warm water. By doing so, it is believed that one’s wishes will be fulfilled.
Important festivals
The most important festivals celebrated here are - Maasi Maham Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar) and the Theerthavari performed in the river Cauvery which flows adjacent to this temple.
Other important festivals celebrated here are –
Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),
Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct),
Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),
Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),
Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan) and
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple timings
From 09:00 AM to 11:30 Noon and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.
Temple address
Sri Neyyadiyappar Temple,
Thiru Neithanam (Thillai Sthanam) Post,
Thiruvaiyaru Via
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu – 613 203.
Tele: +91 - 4362-260 553.











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