Kayarohaneshwarar Temple Melakottaivasal, Nagapattinam

SRI KAYAROHANESHWARAR TEMPLE

Melakottaivasal, Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu, India

God

The main deity of this temple is Kayarohaneshwarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva facing East direction. He is a swayambhu along with Neelayadhakshi.

Goddess

Goddess Neelayadhakshi is consort of Kayarohaneshwarar.

Interesting Facts

This is one of the Saptha Vidanga Kshetras where the 7 idols of Thiagaraja in different dancing poses are found. Here Thiagaraja is found in the Sundara Vidangar form (Vilathithaanam, Dancing like waves of the sea).

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to March.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37 °C during the day and 21 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (30 °C during day and 18 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Nagapattinam Old Bus Stand	850 MTRS	1800-419-4287
Nagappattinam Junction	1.2 KM	139
Puducherry Airport	149 KM	0413-2255506

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Nagappattinam Junction	1.2 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Puducherry Airport	149 KM	0413-2255506

Architecture

Origin of the Name - Sage Pundarika as advised by Sage Kanwa performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking salvation. Granting his darshan, lord embraced the Sage and granted salvation. As a rule, the soul merges with the lord attaining salvation. But in this case lord embraced with the body (Kayam in Tamil) with that of Sage (Aaroganam). Hence lord is named Kaya (body) Aarogana (embracing) Easwarar Lord Kayaroganeswarar.

The temple is facing East direction and built in Dravidian style of architecture,which has a 5-tier Raja gopuram. The Dhwaja stambham is placed infront of the temple. Behind the linga in the sanctum sanctorum is the Somaskanda form of Lord Shiva. There is a koneru named as Pundareega theertham, Deva theertham. The idol is made of a stone called Lapis Lazuli.

Religious Significance

Vishnu accompanies Shiva during Pradosham - Against the practice of lord coming in the Vrushab vahan on Pradosham days, Lord Vishnu too accompanies Lord Shiva in the guise of Mohini. When the milk ocean was churned, Nectar came out and was served by Lord Vishnu to Devas. Devas failed to pray to Lord Shiva who swallowed the Halahala poison to save the world. Realizing their folly, they begged the pardon of the lord. Showing his mercy to them, Lord Shiva danced on Nandhi. This dance took place at the Pradosham time. Lord Vishnu’s Mohini Avtar took place a little before this time. This Vishnu darshan is available to the devotees on Pradosham day only.

Athipathar attained salvation here - Fisherman Athipathar was a staunch Shiva devotee. When he went for fishing, he would offer the first to Lord Shiva. At a stage, he was getting only one Fish each day but did not break away from his commitment. He offered them to lord and returned without any catch. He got a Golden fish one day. Though every one prevented him from throwing it into the sea, Athipathar resolutely stood by his commitment and threw it into the sea. He was awarded with salvation and a place among the 63 Nayanmars. The event is celebrated on the Ayilyam star day in Aavani month (August-September). Athipathar goes in catamaran when fishermen place two Gold Fishes in the net as if caught in the net. Lord Shiva will appear on the sea shore. Athipathar performs pujas to Lord Shiva with the golden Fishes. Shiva will grace darshan to Athipathar.

History

The temple was built 1000 years ago by Pallavas and Cholas. Sage Pundarika, Sages Markandeya, Gauthama, Vasishta, Kashyapa, Pulasthya, Agasthya and Angirasa (Saptha Rishis) had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Aadhisesha, Ambikai, Thirumal, Muruga, Vasishtar, Agastya, Musukundan, Kalakandan and Chandadharuman are believed to have worshiped here at Thirunagai Karonam. The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Gnanasambandar. This is the 82nd Shiva temple on the Southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th century C.E.) have rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Thirunagai Karonam.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sevas

Name of the seva

Day

Timings

Persons

Duration

Price

Abhishekam

All Days

08:00

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757