Neelakandeswarar Temple, Erukkattampuliyur

Location: Erukkattampuliyur (now known as Rajendrapattinam)

Deity known as: Neelakandeswarar

Female Deity: Neelamalarkanni Ammai

Pathikam: Sambandar - 1

Gallery - Neelakandeswarar Temple

Sacred water body across the rajagopuram

Temple pond across the Rajagopuram

5 tier temple tower

Balipeetam, flagpost, mandapam

How to Reach

This Shiva temple lies in Rajendrapattinam, just off the Viruddachalam–Jayamkondaan road (SH 140/141). Srimushnam is between here and Tirukkoodalaiyattrur.

Temple Address

Arulmighu Neelakandeswarar Temple
Rajendrapattinam
Rajendrapattinam Post
Virudhachalam Taluk
Cuddalore District
PIN 608703

Temple hours

Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Near by Temples

1	Tirumudukundram (Viruddachalam) - 21 kms
2	Sri Bhoo Varaha Swamy Temple - SriMushnam - 8 kms

Temple Layout and Architecture

The temple is fronted by an impressive 5-tiered Rajagopuram that welcomes devotees with grandeur. Aligned along the entrance axis are the Dwajasthambam, Balipeetam, and Nandi. To the right lies a small Vinayaka shrine, while on the left are two shrines — one for the Navagrahas (nine planetary deities) and another dedicated to the four principal Nayanmars.

Deities and Sannidhis

As we walk through the inner prakaram around the sanctum, sannidhis of Mahaganapathy, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Muruga with His consorts Valli and Devayanai, and Goddess Lakshmi can be seen. Completing the clockwise circumambulation, we reach the sanctum of the presiding deity, Neelakandeswarar. The wall panels around the sanctum feature the Goshta Murthas — Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbhavar, Brahma, and Goddess Durga.

Solar Architecture

The temple’s architecture is truly unique — between March 16th and 20th, the sun’s rays fall directly on the presiding deity, as if offering obeisance. This stunning alignment reflects the deep astronomical knowledge of the ancient temple builders.

Temple Significance and Legends

Pancha Puliyur Temple

Sage Vyaghrapada, known in Tamil as Pulikkal Munivar (the Sage with Tiger’s Feet), learned of the glory of Nataraja of Thillai from his father, Mathiyanthinar, and came to Chidambaram to worship Nataraja daily. It was his practice to pluck freshly blossomed flowers and offer them to the Deity. However, since bees would drink the nectar in the morning and affect the purity of the flowers, he began collecting them the night before. To help him in this task, Shiva blessed him with the feet of a tiger to climb trees with ease and the eyes of a tiger to carefully examine the flowers in the dark. Thus, he came to be known as Vyaghrapada (in Sanskrit, Vyaghra means tiger), and in Tamil, he was revered as Pulikkal Munivar.

The temples where Vyaghrapada worshipped are collectively known as the Pancha Puliyur Temples. They are :-

Erukattampuliyur is one of the 5 temples called 'Pancha Puliyur Sthalangal'.

Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola

The Sthala Puranam of this temple is linked to the famous Chola king, Raja Raja Chola. Being childless for a long time, he visited this temple on the advice of his Kula Guru to pray for progeny. He was blessed with a son who grew up to be the illustrious Rajendra Chola. During Rajendra Chola’s reign, the temple underwent significant renovation, and the locality came to be known as Rajendrapattinam.

Tiruneelakanta Yazhpaanar

This is the birthplace of Tiruneelakanta Yazhpaanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars). We can see his idol along with his wife Mathanga Choodamaniyar within the temple complex, honoring this great devotee who was born at this sacred place.

Temple Legend

Legend of Muruga

Once, Lord Shiva was explaining the significance of the Vedas to Goddess Parvati when she became distracted. In his displeasure, Shiva cursed her to be reborn on Earth as a fisherwoman. Their son, Muruga, angered by the incident, argued with his father. As a result, Shiva also cursed Muruga to be born as a mute boy named Rudhrasanmar in a trader community. When Rudhrasanmar reached the appropriate age, he set out on a pilgrimage to visit various Shiva temples. He eventually arrived at Erukkathampuliyur, where he installed a Shivalinga, offered worship, and miraculously regained his ability to speak. In this temple, Lord Shiva is also revered as Thirukkumarasamy, since it was here that Muruga (Kumaran) worshipped Him.

Erukkam (Calotropis) trees

According to another legend, celestial beings (devas) and sages (rishis) once transformed into birds and trees to offer their devotion to Lord Shiva at this place. However, they became easy targets for hunters. Seeking help, they prayed to Lord Shiva, who advised them to take the form of Erukkam (Calotropis) trees, whose wood had no practical use. Over time, the area became densely populated with Erukkam trees, giving the place its name, Erukattampuliyur. A sacred Erukkam tree still stands near the sanctum sanctorum, bearing witness to this legend.