Neelakandeswarar Temple, Tiruneelakkudi

Neelakandeswarar Temple stands at Tiruneelakkudi, historically Thennalakudi, on the banks of the Kaveri. Shiva is worshipped as Neelakandeswarar and his consort as Oppilamulaiyal. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised by Appar and Sambandar, and is linked with the life of Thiruneelakanta Nayanar.

The temple recalls the churning of the ocean of milk, when Shiva drank the poison that rose first and Parvati held his throat, which is how he came to be called Neelakanta. She is said to have soothed him by anointing him with oil here, and the custom continues: the lingam, about two feet high with an unusual square, rough surface, absorbs the gingelly oil poured over it, notably during the Chittirai festival. Brahma, Markandeya, Kamadhenu and Durvasa are all said to have worshipped here, and Appar is believed to have sung here on his way to Tiruvarur. During the Saptastanam festival the processional images of seven nearby temples are brought here and carried through the streets.