Shiva Nandeeswarar Temple Tirukandalam,Tiruvallur,Tamil Nadu

Shiva Nandeeswarar Temple is located in the ancient village of Tirukandalam in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. Historically this place was known as Tirukallil, named after the kalli plant (cactus-a thorny flowering plant) that grew here.

Presiding Deity and Consort

The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, known as Sri Shivanandheeswarar or Thirukalleeswarar. He is worshipped in the form of a Shiva Lingam and is believed to be swayambhu (self-manifested). The goddess here is Sri Anandavalli Amman. The festive deity for processions is Lord Somaskandar. Other deities in the temple precincts include Sundara Vinayagar, Kaalatheeswarar, Bala Subramaniar, and Sakthi Dakshinamurthy.

Temple Age

The temple is ancient, with a history that spans 1000–2000 years. The original shrine is believed to have been built during the 6th–7th century Pallava period, and it was later reconstructed and expanded during the Chola period. Several Chola inscriptions, including one from Vikrama Chola, record land donations to the temple.

Temple Architecture

Shiva Nandeeswarar Temple is constructed in the traditional Dravidian style. It has a five-tiered rajagopuram at the entrance. The temple faces east and has a temple tank in front. After the gopuram, there is a dwajasthambam (flagstaff) followed by balipeedam and rishabam (Nandi) in the mukha mandapam. The vimana above the sanctum is of Gaja-Prishta (back of an elephant) style. In the koshta (niches around the sanctum), idols of Natana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga are present. The temple’s outer prakaram also houses shrines for Naalvar with Sekkizhar, Surya, Anjaneyar, Nagars, Sundara Vinayagar, Kalathi Nathar, Balasubramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Sakthi Dakshinamurthy, Kala Bhairavar and Navagrahas. Most of these sannadhis and mandapams were added in later periods.

History

The temple’s site was originally called Tirukallil, located near the Kosasthalaiyar River and surrounded by forests of kalli plants. Inscriptions found on the adhisthana (base) of the sanctum record Chola era donations and show that the temple was maintained and expanded during Vikrama Chola’s rule. Over centuries, it has remained an important place of worship for people of the region, with devotees maintaining rituals and temple upkeep even as structures were rebuilt and enlarged in more recent times.

Sthalapurana

According to legend, Sage Bhrigu Maharishi worshipped Lord Shiva here using kalli flowers as offerings. He circumambulated only Shiva, which is said to have annoyed Goddess Parvati. To show that Shiva and Shakti are inseparable, Shiva appeared as Sakthi Dakshinamurthy, with Sakthi on his lap—an unusual and sacred form present in this temple. Another tradition connects Saint Tirugnanasambandar with this temple; after worshipping at Thiruvalangadu and bathing in the Kosasthalaiyar River, a flood carried away his vibhuti and puja items, which landed in the forest here where Shiva resided. Sambandar then worshipped here and sang hymns in praise of the deity. The temple is counted as the 18th of the 32 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams in the Tondai region, celebrated in Tevaram hymns.

Festivals

The temple celebrates many traditional Shaiva festivals. Mahashivaratri (Feb–Mar) attracts large numbers of devotees with a night of special prayers. Pradosham is observed regularly with special rituals. Other important festivals include Thirukarthigai (Nov–Dec), Skanda Sashti (Oct–Nov), and Margazhi Thiruvathirai (Dec–Jan). According to some sources, festivals like Thai Pusam, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navarathri, and Karthigai Deepam are also celebrated.