Neelakandeswarar Temple, Erukkattampuliyur, Cuddalore

The temple complex covers around half acre and entered through a five tiered gopuram, the main gateway. The temple has many shrines, with those of Thirukumaresar and his consorts Verumulai Amman, being the most prominent. All the shrines of the temple are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This is the 36^th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 4^th Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Arunagirinathar has sung Thirupugazh in praise of Subramanya of this Temple. Sivaprakasa has authored the Sthala Puranam of this Temple. The temple is also the birth place of Saiva saint Thiruneelakanta Nayanar.

The temple has four daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. Mahasivarathri festival celebrated during the month of the Chittirai (March – April) is the most prominent festival of the temple. It is one of the five Puliyur shrines worshipped by Vyagrapada, the other four being Perumpuliyur, Omam Puliyur, Paatirippuliyur & Perum Patrappuliyur (Chidambaram). The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.09.1996.

Temple Opening Time

This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.00AM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.

Festivals

The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, and Arthajamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Thirukumaresar and Verumulai Amman. There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday) and Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) & Sathurthi. Mahasivarathri during the Tamil month of Panguni (March – April) is the most important festivals of the temple. Other festivals celebrated here include Kartikai Deepam, Thai Poosam, Aavani Moolam, Aani Tirumanjanam, Navaratri and Aippasi Pournami.

Prayers

Those suffering from speech impairment visit this temple and worship the lord here in order to seek relief. It is also believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here.