Thirunellikaval is also called as Thirunellika by some. Thirunellika is a small village located in Needamangalam Taluk of Thiruvarur District. It is called as Nellikkaa since this place was full of Amla Trees or Nelli Maram in those days. It is one of the Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and a famous Temple built on the Southern Bank of River Cauvery in the Chola Nadu. The Presiding Deity is known as Sri Amlavaneswarar or Sri Amlakeswarar or Sri Nelli Natheswarar or Sri Nellivana Natharor or Sri Nellikaa Udayar. His Consort is known as Sri Amlakeswari or Sri Mangala Nayagi. This Temple has a West facing five tiered Rajagopuram and in located in the middle of Agricultural Fields. A Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram, a Neivedhiya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam face the Moolasthanam of the Temple.

In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Nellivana Nathar is seen in the form of a Swayambu Sivalingam and is considered as an incarnation of Shiva. The Sanctum Sanctorum is built in a such a manner that during the final days of Tamil Masi Month the Sun Rays fall directly on the Shiva Lingam seen in the Moolasthanam. The Koshtam around the Moolasthanam has the Idols of Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshnamurthy, Sri Brahmma and Sri Durgai and Chandikeswarar.The Consort Sri Amlakeswari or Sri Mangala Nayaki has a seperate Shrine and is seen in a standing posture Blessing Her Devotees. 

There are Sub Shrines for Naalwar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Bhairavar etc. A Nellivana Nathar is seen under a Nelli Maram or an Amla tree. The Temple also has a Navagraha enclosure. There is a seperate Sub Shrine for the Urchavamurthi Idols. The Ambal's Avataara Painting and the 12 Raasis have been drawn as paintings on the celing of the Temple. Saint Thirugnana Sammandhar has sung very high of this Temple. Though this Temple was built during the days of the Cholas under Amalaesa Cholan, King Raja Raja Cholan and Rajendra Cholan, it is believed that the Vijayanagara Rulers were instrumental in converting this Temple with Stones and developing it further. It is also believed that during the period of King Kulothunga Cholan III an Anayaa Vilakku was lit here. It is also said that the furious Sage Dhurvasar visited this Temple and by doing so his anger was minimised to a great extent by Shiva. There is a belief  that Sri Brahmma had come here and created a Theertham and had Worshipped Shiva here in this Temple and hence this Sacred Tank or Pushkarani is still known as Brahmma Theertham. Some call this place as Pancha Theerthapuram since there are 5 Sacred Tanks or Pushkaranis. The ten Day Chithirai Bramothsavom, Avani Month Thirukalyanam, Navarathri, Thai Poosam, Thiru Vilakku Poojai are celebrated in a grand manner in this Temple.

It is said that the Gandharvas who were afflicted with Leprosy had come here and Prayed to Shiva as a result of which they were cured instantly of their disease. Therefore this place is known as Kushtaroha Nivarthi Sthalam. 

Contact Details: 04369 237507 and 04369 237438

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 6 PM to 8:30 PM

Distance from Thiruvarur to Tirunellikka is 20 Kms

Distance from Needamangalam to Tirunellikka is 48 Kms

Distance from Nannilam to Tirunellikka is 35 Kms

Distance from Srivanchiyam or Srivanjiyam to Tirunellikka is 35 Kms

Distance from Kudavasal to Tirunellikka is 42 Kms

Distance from Koothanallur to Tirunellikka is 20 Kms

Distance from Semmangudi to Tirunellikka is 50 Kms

Distance from Karaikal to Tirunellikka is 54 Kms

Distance from Vedaranyam to Tirunellikka is 49 Kms

Distance from Nagappattinam to Tirunellikka is 36 Kms

Distance from Thiruthuraipoondi to Tirunellikka is 15 Kms

Distance from Pattukkottai to Tirunellikka is 64 Kms

Distance from Orathanadu to Tirunellikka is 47 Kms

Distance from Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram to Tirunellikka is 60 Kms

Distance from Sirkali or Sirkazhi to Tirunellikka is 80 Kms

Distance from Thirukadaiyur to Tirunellikka is 75 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Tirunellikka is 67 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Tirunellikka is 57 Kms

Distance from Vaitheeswarankoil to Tirunellikka is 73 Kms

Distance from Thiruppungur to Tirunellikka is 77 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Tirunellikka is 78 Kms

Distance from Poovanur to Tirunellikka is 35 Kms

Distance from Marungapallam to Tirunellikka is 75 Kms

Distance from Avudaiyarkoil to Tirunellikka is 115 Kms

Distance from Karaikudi to Tirunellikka is 181 Kms

Distance from Pillayarpatti to Tirunellikka is 184 Kms

Distance from Sikkal to Tirunellikka is 31 Kms

Distance from Kanchipuram to Tirunellikka is 295 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai to Tirunellikka is 246 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Tirunellikka is 337 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Thiruvarur R.S.

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