Tiruneelakkudi Neelakandeswarar Temple
About Tiruneelakkudi Neelakandeswarar Temple
Tiruneelakkudi Neelakandeswarar Temple is a historic Shiva shrine located in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, approximately thirteen kilometers from Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is Neelakandeswarar, an epithet referring to Shiva's blue neck, derived from the mythological account of his consuming the Halahala poison during the churning of the cosmic ocean. The temple's consort deity is Oppilamulaiyal. The shrine is distinguished by its extraordinary sesame oil abhishekam ritual, wherein large quantities of oil poured upon the Shivalinga are completely absorbed, leaving no trace of moisture and causing the stone to appear perpetually rough and untouched. The temple is one of the thirty-two Paadal Petra Shivasthalam temples praised in the Thevaram hymns by Saint Tirunavukkarasar. The sacred Vilwa tree within the temple grounds bears five petals, an unusual characteristic. Major festivals include the eighteen-day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, featuring processions through surrounding villages, along with celebrations of Margazhi Tiruvadhirai, Aadipooram, and Karthikai.
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