Nalladai Agneeswarar Temple – A must Visit Temple for Bharani Starers !!

We all know that it is very important to visit the temples that are dedicated to the 9 celestial planets (Navagrahas). But is equally important and necessary to visit the temples that are dedicated to the Birth Stars or Nakshathira.  It is always said that visiting the temples corresponding to one’s birth star at least once in a year removes all the obstacles and ensures a happy life. So, in these blogs, I have been writing about the temples that are auspicious for each of the stars. We have already seen about the temples that are important for the stars Aayilyam, Poosam and Ashwini. Now, we are going to know about the temple that has to be visited by the people who are born on the Bharani Nakshathira.

SundaraNayaki Sametha Sri Agneeswarar Temple in a place called Nalladai is the one that is considered auspicious for the Bharani starers. Nalladai is a place in Tharangambadi Taluk in Nagapattinam District. This is the place that wove clothes to the Lord Himself. Hence it was named as Neithaladai. (Neithal – Weaving, Adai – Clothes). In the following days, the name shrunk to ‘Nalladai’. The temple was built during the rule of Rajaraja Chola II during the years 1146 – 1163. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva and he is called by the name Agneeswarar or Bharaninathar. The Lord is seen facing the west and it is believed that He would be in a furious nature in that direction. So worshiping the Lord here would give more benefits to the devotees.

As per the Sthala Purana, a sage named Mruganda Maharshi organized a great yaga for the Lord of Nalladai. He also announced that the materials that are required for the yaga could be given by the public. So, they wove three silk clothes with gold and offered them to the Sage. At the end of the yaga, the maharishi put those clothes in the Yaga Gunda-the fire pit. (The process of Poornahuthi). People did not understand this act of the Sage and so they questioned him for putting the clothes in Fire. They also asked how the clothes that are placed in the Homam would reach the Lord. The sage smiled and asked the people to go and see the main deity in the Garbagraha by themselves. When they went and saw the Lord, it was really a pleasant surprise for them. What a wonder! The silk clothes that were offered by them are draped around the Lord. Then the sage explained about the various types of Agni. He also said that the Bharani Rudhragni is one of the powerful Agni that took the things given by the devotees to the Lord. This is the reason why this temple is attributed to the Star Bharani.

There was a famous saying in Tamil called “Bharani Dharani Aalum” meaning people who are born in the Bharani Star would rule the World. Bharani Starers normally have the potential to rule due to their fire burning energy. They normally have very good knowledge and urge to learn new things. In order to sustain this power, they are advised to perform yaga to this Agni Personified Shiva Linga and the Goddess. It is also strongly believed that by performing special Archanai on the Bharani Star Day would help in getting rid of the adversary effects of the Planetary positions. People also pray for the Happy Wedding, Child Boon, and other benefits.

In the next blog, we would explore the temple for the people who are born on Karthikai (Krithika) Nakshathira.