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Vanmeega Nathar Temple

The Vanmeeganathar Temple, also known as the Adiyar Temple, is located in Thiruneiper, Tamil Nadu, India.Thiruneiper Vanmeekanatha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Thiruneiper, Thiruvarur circle, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.

Timings

6.00 Am to 8.00 Pm

Entry Fee

No Entry Fee

ORIGIN/HISTORY:


The Vanmeeganathar Temple, also known as the Adiyar Temple, is located in Thiruneiper, Tamil Nadu, India. Here's what I found about its history:

Estimated Age: The temple is believed to be around 1,000 years old.


Connection to Naminandi Adigal:



  1. Thiruneiper Vanmeekanatha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Thiruneiper, Thiruvarur circle, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.
  2. The Vanmeeganathar Temple dates back to the Chola dynasty. The Chola kings, known for their devotion to Lord Shiva, built and renovated numerous temples across their kingdom. 
  3. Naminandi adigal Nayan’s house has been set up as his temple. It is east of the road and west of the temple. 
  4. On the right is lingamurthy, in front is Nandi. Nearby is a statue of Naminandikai with an urn.
  5. According to legend, Naminandi Adigal, one of the 63 Nayanmars, hailed from Thiruneiper.
  6. He was known for his devotion to Lord Shiva and would walk daily from Thiruneiper to the Thiruvarur Temple to light lamps with ghee. 
  7. Naminandi Adigal, a Nayanmar, hailed from Thiruneiper, not far away from Thiruvarur.
  8.  He used to light the lamps at Thiruvarur Temple with ghee. He used to walk all the way from his place every day to reach Thiruvarur temple for serving the Almighty. 
  9. He wanted to light ghee lamps at Achaleswarar Shrine, located inside the Temple. 
  10. As he required more ghee for the purpose, he went outside and approached some houses which were close to the Temple.
  11. Without knowing that those houses belonged to Jains, he made the request to them. They laughed at him and refused to give ghee to light the lamps. 
  12. They even insulted him to go back and light the lamps by using water drawn from the Temple Tank. 
  13. Highly wounded by their words, Naminandhi Adigal went back to the Temple and prayed at the feet of the Lord. 
  14. At that time he heard the Divine Voice asking him to bring water from the tank and light the lamps.
  15. He obeyed the Lord's advice and brought water from the tank and lighted numerous lamps. It was indeed a miracle that all lamps burned throughout the night to the surprise of everybody. 
  16. He continued to serve the Lord by shifting his residence from Thiruneiper to Thiruvarur. 
  17. The Lord even made him realise all people of Thiruvarur are Shiva ganas. Nayanar's remarkable service is praised by Appar in his Thevaram Hymns.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Dress modestly: Devotees are expected to dress modestly, covering their shoulders and knees. This shows respect for the sanctity of the temple.
  2. Maintain decorum: Loud talking, boisterous behaviour, and mobile phones on ringing mode are considered disrespectful.
  3. Remove footwear: It is customary to remove footwear before entering the temple complex.
  4. Follow the queue: If there is a queue or line to enter the sanctum sanctorum (inner shrine), wait patiently for your turn.
  5. Make offerings: If you wish to make offerings, you can purchase them from vendors outside the temple or bring your own puja samagri (sacred items) like flowers or fruits.
  6. Take photos respectfully: Photography is usually permitted in the temple complex, but avoid using flash inside the sanctum sanctorum. It's always good to ask permission before taking photos of people engaged in prayer.


  1. Consume non-vegetarian food or alcohol: This is generally restricted within the temple premises.
  2. Smoke or chew tobacco: Smoking and tobacco chewing are strictly prohibited inside the temple complex.
  3. Litter: Dispose of waste materials in designated bins only. Help maintain the temple's cleanliness.
  4. Touch the deities: While darshan (holy viewing) is encouraged, refrain from touching the idols or their decorations.
  5. Point or talk loudly: Maintain a respectful demeanour and avoid loud conversations or pointing fingers at the deities.
  6. Disrupt rituals: Observe ongoing pujas (rituals) silently. Don't attempt to participate unless specifically invited by the priest.


Dress Code

  1. Men: Wear a shirt or kurta (a loose-fitting tunic) that covers the shoulders. Avoid sleeveless or revealing tops.
  2. Women: Wear a sari (a traditional Indian drape), salwar kameez (a loose-fitting top and trousers), or a blouse with a long skirt or leggings. Avoid sleeveless or revealing tops.


How to reach

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By Air:

  1. Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport (TRZ), which is approximately 124 km from Thiruvarur.
  2. From the Airport: You can hire a taxi or take a bus from the airport to Thiruvarur. The journey by road takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.


By Train:

  1. Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvarur Junction Railway Station (TVR) is the closest railhead to the temple.
  2. From the Station: The temple is a short distance from the railway station. You can hire an auto-rickshaw, taxi, or take a local bus to reach the temple.


By Road:

  1. From Major Cities:
  2. From Chennai: Thiruvarur is approximately 310 km from Chennai. You can take a bus or drive via NH32 and NH83, which will take around 6-7 hours.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

RIVERS:


The temple is situated on the banks of the Noyyal River, one of the major rivers in the region.

Uppanar River: This river flows through the town of Thiruvarur and joins the Noyyal River a short distance away.

Koraiyar River: This river is a tributary of the Noyyal River and flows through the Thiruvarur district.

Vettaru River: This river is another tributary of the Noyyal River and flows through the Thiruvarur district.

Numerous canals and irrigation channels: The Thiruvarur district is crisscrossed by a network of canals and irrigation channels, which are used to support agriculture in the region.


CITIES:



Thiruvarur: This town is the district headquarters of Nagapattinam and is home to the Thiruneiper Vanmeekanatha Shiva Temple.

Nagapattinam: This port city is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is about 50 kilometres from Thiruvarur.

Mayiladuthurai: This town is located about 30 kilometres from Thiruvarur and is known for its temples and historical monuments.

Kumbakonam: This town is located about 40 kilometres from Thiruvarur and is a major centre for education and culture.