Nimileeswarar Temple,
Koodapakkam, Puducherry
Nimileeswarar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Koodapakkam, an outskirt of
Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. Presiding Deity is called as
Nimileeswarar / Chokkanathar and Mother is called as Nilothpalambigai.
Legends
Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord
Shiva here:
This
temple is one of the temples worshipped by Mahavishnu after he killed Mahabali
to get relieved from the Dhosha.
Koodapakkam:
All
the 9 Navagrahas worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple together. Therefore, the
place is called Koodapakkam.
Brahmapureeswarar:
Once
Mahavishnu was cursed by Sage Sukracharya. Brahma was also a part for the
curse. Due to the curse they lost their eyesight. Both Brahma and Vishnu were
asked to reach this place and install a Linga and worship it. Brahma installed
a Linga and both Brahma and Vishnu worshipped this Linga and got rid of their
curse. Therefore, Brahma has 8 eyes as he has 4 heads and Mahavishnu 2 eyes.
Hence, the place is called as Pathukannu. Ancient name of Pathukannu was
Brahmeeswaram. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Brahmapureeswarar.
The Temple
This temple is facing towards east. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam
and Nandi can be found facing the sanctum in the mukha mandapam. The temple
consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as
Nimileeswarar / Chokkanathar. He is housed in the
sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. Vinayaga,
Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located
around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location.
Mother is called as Nilothpalambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine in the
mukha mandapam. It is believed that Brahmapureeswarar Temple existed
in Pathukannu Area and completely lost. Only the Lingam and Vinayaga remains. They
have been placed under a tree in this temple. Shrines of Surya, Chandran, Bhairava
and Murugan can be found in the temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about at about 200 meters from Koodapakkam
Bus Stop, 700 meters from Pathukannu Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Osudu Lake, 12 Kms
from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 13 Kms
from Puducherry Airport and 147 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is
situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to Vazhudavur Bus Route.
Devotees can get down at Pathukannu Bus Stop. The Temple
is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. PRTC Bus 18 A and 12 A is
plying between Pondicherry Bus Stand to Thirukanur and Pathukannu will stop at
Pathukannu Bus Stop. All the other private buses running in this route also
stops here. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Temple from any
part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest
Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location