Appar Praised the Lord as one who relieves the pains of the sincere devotee
Markandeya initiated a Seven Village Procession in Chitrai in a thanking gesture to the Lord for extending his life
Legend has it that when Brahmma lost his powers after he set his eyes on Urvasi, he was directed to undertake penance here at Thiru Neelakudi. It was here that he invoked the blessings of the Lord by installing a Shiva Lingam and performing pooja. In memory of this episode, there is a mukthi mandapam inside the temple with a Lingam.
Sacred cow Kamadhenu created a tank and bathed here, and performed pooja to cleanse herself from the curse of Sage Vashista.
The Lord is referred to by different names including Manogyanathar, Neelakandeswarar, Kamadenu Pureeswarar, Vilvaaranyeswarar and Brahmmapureeswarar.
There are two Ambal Sannidhis next to each other – Bhakthaapeesta Prathaayini (Azhagaambigai) and Anoopa Masthani (Thava Kola Ammai- Yogic Posture).
When Lord Shiva absorbed the poison in the Devas – Asuras battle for securing the nectar from Thiruparkadal, it was ambal who applied a sacred oil on the Lord’s head to stop the poison at his neck (Neela Kanda) and prevent it from consuming his body. To this day, one finds that when oil abhishekam takes place at this temple, one finds the Lord fully absorbing the oil in his body thus cooling himself from the heat of the poison, a special feature at this temple. Hence the Lord is also referred to as ‘Thaila Abhisheka Priyar’.
Praising the Lord of Thiru Neelakudi, Appar says that if one offers his sincere prayers and invokes the blessings of the Lord, one’s difficulties will vanish like a small floating stone in an ocean.
Brahmotsavam in Chitrai including procession to 7 villages in Kannadi Pallakku
The temple is open from 730am -12noon and 5pm-8pm. Contact Kalimuthu Mei Kavalar @ 96269 97271.
By Train, one can get down at Aduthurai Railway Station (between Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam) and take an auto ( Rs. 50) to Thiru Neelakudi ( 3 kms from Aduthurai)
One can also reach the temple by taking the Karaikal bound bus from Kumbakonam (10 kms).