Nalladai Agneeswarar Temple (Bharani Star)
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📍 Nalladai, Tharangambadi Taluk, Tamil Nadu
⭐ Featured Regional SignificanceLocated in Nalladai village near Mayiladuthurai (Nagapattinam/Mayiladuthurai district), this Chola-era Shiva temple is the parihara sthalam for people born under the Bharani nakshatra. Shiva is worshipped here as Agneeswarar (Bharaninathar), fire personified, in a rare west-facing sanctum.
Rudrabhishekam on Monday
The most powerful Vedic ritual to invoke Lord Shiva — dissolving negative karma, doshas & obstacles. Performed with sacred abhishekam & chants, it invites peace, health and prosperity into your life.
🛕 Performed at a revered 300‑year‑old Shiva temple near Tirupati by experienced Vedic priests.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Lord Agneeswarar / Bharaninathar (Shiva)
Agni (fire) personified as a Shivalinga; sanctum faces west, surrounded by a water-filled channel to cool the deity's heat
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Lord Agneeswarar / Bharaninathar (Shiva)
Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Nalladai - 609306, Tharangambadi Taluk, Nagapattinam/Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu
Spiritual Highlights
Bharani-born devotees are believed to gain the ability to 'rule' through inner strength and knowledge (per the Tamil saying 'Bharani Dharani Aalum'), relief from adverse planetary effects (especially via worship on the Bharani star day, particularly in the Tamil month of Karthikai), blessings for marriage, and the boon of children.
The founding legend of the silk cloths miraculously appearing on the deity after being offered into the sacred fire is the temple's central miracle story, explaining its fire (Agni) association and its link to the Bharani nakshatra.
Devotees perform Homas (fire rituals) and Archanas dedicated to the Lord and Goddess; Bharani-born devotees are specifically advised to perform yaga to the Agni-personified Shivalinga, with benefits considered doubled if performed on the Bharani star day in the Tamil month of Karthikai (November-December).
Worship here is believed to grant relief from adverse planetary influences, strengthen inner resolve and knowledge, and help resolve obstacles related to marriage and childbearing.
About Nalladai Agneeswarar Temple (Bharani Star)
Sri Agneeswarar Temple stands in Nalladai village, in Tharangambadi Taluk (Mayiladuthurai/Nagapattinam district), Tamil Nadu, about 15 km from Mayiladuthurai town. The stone sanctum sanctorum is believed to have been built during the reign of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola II, roughly between 1146 and 1163 CE. The temple complex spans about two acres and has three entrances, each crowned with a gopuram (tower).
The presiding deity, Shiva, is worshipped here as Agneeswarar or Bharaninathar - Agni (fire) personified - and uniquely faces west rather than the traditional east. A distinctive architectural feature is a sloped, water-filled channel built around the Shivalinga, designed to cool the intense heat (agni) attributed to the deity. The consort goddess, Sundaranayaki (also spelled Suntharanayagi), is enshrined facing south. Other deities present in the temple, per heritage records, include Vishnu, Mahalakshmi, Kailasanathar, Dakshinamurti, Bhuvaneswari, Chandikeswarar, Durga, two forms of Ganesha (Dwara Vinayaka and Selva Vinayaka), Somaskanda, Balamurugan, Kalyani, Surya, Shani, Veerabhadra, and Bhairava. The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu government.
The village's name is itself tied to temple legend: it was originally called Neithaladai ('neithal' = weaving, 'adai' = cloth), later shortened to Nalladai, after devotees wove silk garments for the deity as described in the temple's founding story. Today the temple is one of the 27 Nakshatra temples of Tamil Nadu, drawing devotees born under the Bharani star, the second nakshatra in Vedic astrology.
Architecture & Heritage
Dravidian (Chola) (Chola Dynasty - built/consecrated under Rajaraja Chola II, c. 1146-1163 CE)
Three grand entrances each topped with a gopuram; stone sanctum sanctorum dated to the Rajaraja Chola II era; west-facing Shivalinga surrounded by a sloped, water-filled channel to cool the deity's heat; south-facing shrine for Goddess Sundaranayaki.
Vilwa tree (sthala vriksham) associated with temple legend; Kundangulam tank.
Festivals & Celebrations
Panchamurthi processions held on the Sundays of the Tamil month of Karthikai.
Rituals & Traditions
The temple's founding legend of silk offerings miraculously appearing on the deity is central to local devotional practice.
Nearby Temples (39)
Within about 200 km driving distance from Nalladai Agneeswarar Temple (Bharani Star). Plan a yatra and cover as many of these as you can.
Dharbaranyeswarar Temple (Shani)
Thirunallar, Tamil Nadu
Kathra Sundareswarar Temple (Karthigai Star)
Kanjanagaram, Tamil Nadu
Kirubakubareswarar Temple (Hastham Star)
Komal, Tamil Nadu
Agnipureeswarar Temple (Sathayam Star)
Thirupugalur, Tamil Nadu
Swetharanyeswarar Temple (Budha)
Thiruvenkadu, Tamil Nadu
Naganathaswamy Temple (Ketu)
Keezhaperumpallam, Tamil Nadu
Sooriyanar Temple (Surya)
Sooriyanar Kovil, Tamil Nadu
Sri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple, Thirumanancheri
Thirumanancheri, Tamil Nadu
Agneeswarar Temple (Shukra)
Kanjanur, Tamil Nadu
Karkadeswarar Temple (Ayilyam Star)
Thirunandudevankudi, Tamil Nadu
Frequently Asked Questions
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Lord Agneeswarar / Bharaninathar (Shiva)
Sundaranayaki (consort), Vishnu, Mahalakshmi, Kailasanathar, Dakshinamurti, Bhuvaneswari, Chandikeswarar, Durga, Dwara Vinayaka, Selva Vinayaka, Somaskanda, Balamurugan, Kalyani, Surya, Shani, Veerabhadra, Bhairava
Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Nalladai - 609306, Tharangambadi Taluk, Nagapattinam/Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu
How to Reach
Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) — ~142 km
Mayiladuthurai Junction (MV) — ~16 km
Nalladai Bus Stop (on the Mayiladuthurai–Karaikal route) — ~500 meters
The temple is located on the Mayiladuthurai-Karaikal road via Nedungadu (State Highway 149), about 15 km from Mayiladuthurai. Mayiladuthurai has the nearest railway station; Trichy has the nearest airport. Buses, taxis, and autos are available from Mayiladuthurai bus stand.
