Changing Colours of Shivalingam in Kalyanasundaresar Temple of Nallur
Kalyanasundaresar Temple or Thirunallur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Nallur, in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is revered as Kalyansundaresar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Girisundari. The presiding deity was worshiped in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work by Tamil saint poets.
The legend of the temple is rooted with sage Agastya and Amaraneethi Nayanar, one of the 63 nayanars, the Tamil Saiva saints. The lingam in the temple is believed to change colours five times during the day time. From 6:00-8:24 a.m, it takes the colour of copper, light red from 8:25-10:48, molten gold from 10:49-15:12, an unknown shade of colour from 13:13-15:36 and an emerald green hue from 15:37-18:00.
The vilwa tree in the temple is believed to be the first of its kind in the planet and hence called “Aadhi tree”. Gananatha, a form of Shiva, in the form of balipeeta (platform for offering), is located in the temple. It is the only other place outside Varanasi, where Gananatha is found in the form
The temple complex has three precincts and houses two gateway towers known as gopurams. All the central shrines of the temple are located in an artificial hillock, while the shrine of Kali is located in the third precinct in the basement. The original masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century.
The temple observes six daily rituals at periodic intervals ranging from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar.
Another unique feature is that there are two Shiv Lingas in the sanctum. Devotees are blessed with Sadari, a practice followed only in Vishnu temples as this is the place where Lord Shiva Saint Thirunavukkarasar had the Darshan of the Lord’s feet.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam since the early 13th century.
By K.Nagori
