It was here at Tirunelvayil Arathurai, the presiding deity Arathurainathar, bestowed upon His devotee, the young Tirugyanasambandhar, a pearl palanquin and a pearl umbrella (muthu chivigai, muthu kudai).Sambandhar had embarked upon his journey of visiting the abodes of lord shiva, after receiving the 'gyanapaal' (milk of knowledge) from Goddess parvathy's hand at Sirkazhi.
Since Sambandar was a child, it was customary for his father to carry him on his shoulder to their destination. When he was on his way to Thirunelvayil, Sambandhar refused to be carried by his father and started walking. Everyone was saddened to see the little Sambandan walking with his bare feet. Sambandar halted at Maranpadi with his devotees for the night. That night, Arathurainathar appeared in the temple staff's dream, and informed them that, to ease sambandhars's discomfort, He would provide a pearl palanquin, a pearl umbrella and pearl symbols and that the staffs should take them to sambandhar and bring him to the temple.
Arathurainathar also appeared in Sambandhar's dream and informed him of the gifts that he would be receiving and told him to use the palanquin to commute to the temple in comfort. The next morning, at Tirunelvayil Arathurai,the devotees and the temple staff opened the Sanctum to see the objects that was envisioned in their dream. Sambandhar was then brought to the temple on the gifted palanquin, shaded by the divine umbrella
Located on the banks of the river 'vellaru', This sacred temple of Arathurainathar greets us with a gateway, facing east. As we cross the gateway and enter the temple, we walk into the peripheral prakaram. Here we see various sannidhis - Vinayaka, Samaya kuravargal - (the 4 saints of shaivism), Sage Vaanmeeki, Saptha Kannika - (Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kowmaari, Vaishnavi, Indraani, Varaahi and Chaamundi ), Mahavishnu and Jyothir lingams. Next we can see sannidhis for Annamalai, Adisesha, Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Dandayuthapani and Linga murtis in the name of Chera,Chola,Pandya kings. Kasi Viswanathar graces us with His consort Visalakshi. There are also 'Sannidhis' for Gajalakshmi, Santhana kuravargal, Bhairavar, Surya and Chandra - all in the circumambulating pathway of the prakaram. Goddess saraswathy appears beautiful holding Her melifluous veena. Here a Banyan tree stands as 'sthala vruksha' and the two water bodies 'vellaru' and 'neelamalar poigai' are considered to be the 2 sacred waters of this temple.
The presiding deity Athurainathar here is a 'Swayambhu Lingam', facing east. Ganesha, Bikshadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar and Brahma are as 'Goshta Murtha's on the walls surrounding the sanctum. After we have 'darshan' of Nataraja with His consort Sivagami, Goddess Durga, Ardhanariswar, Chandeswarar and Bhairavar, we can enter the sanctum of the primary deity Arathurainathar. Navagrha Sannidhi is housed within the inner prakaram, and Saneeshwara Bhagvan stands in an exclusive sannidhi of his own. Both Arathurainathar and Arathurainayaki have their own flagstaff (dwajasthambam or kodimaram), Balipeedam (the customary sacrificial altar) and Nandi.
Arathurainathar, the presiding deity at tirunelvayil arathurai was revered and worshipped by Mahavishnu, Adishesha, Sages Vaalmiki and Sanakar, and the chera, Chozha, Pandiya kings. To prevent damages caused by the flooded river 'vellaru', it is said that the head of the nandi is turned towards the river. Sambandhar in his padhigam, mentioned that this temple was located on the banks of river 'niva'". The aforementioned niva river during the times of sambandhar is now called as 'vellaru'. The planetory gods for mars (mangala graha) and saturn (Sani graha) too, have worshipped the deity here, and so it is beleived that those inflicted with 'Mangala (Sevvaai)' or 'Sani' dosham is benefitted by worshipping Arathurainathar. Also the 'Sthala Vruksham' banyan, is associated with the star 'magam' and so it is considered as a special place of worship for those who are born in it
The 14th century BC Tamizh poet Arunagirinathar of Thiruppugazh fame also, came to tirunelvayil and sang in praise of Muruga here. Lord muruga is in a majestic standing posture, facing east, with 4 hands. His 2 consorts Valli and Deivanai are along. The peacock is found at the back.
This is one of the 44 paadal petra shivasthalam, which has received pathikam by all the three trinities - tirugyanasambandhar, tirunavukkarasar and sundarar.
5 tier temple tower
Flagpost, 2nd entrance on the backside
Flagpost, Balipeedam. Nandi Mantap
Nataraja, Shivakami - Goshta Image
Bhootha Bhavishya Varthamana Lingam and Vishnu
Muruga with Valli, Deivanai
Shivan, Parvathi
Arthanareeswarar
Saraswathi