10th
May 2019.
A visit to this temple was not planned earlier. After attending a marriage at
Idaikattur, the plan was changed and I
was left with two options either returning to Chennai on the same day or to
visit Thiruvathavur Shiva Temple which was long pending. The place Thiruvathavur is at the starting
point of the Upparu River. Even though the temple will be open in the evening,
decided to wait and do the Darshan of Sri Thirumurai Nathar. Reached
Thiruvathavur around 13.30 hrs and 2 hours before opening the temple.
Urchavars during Vaikasi 10-day annual celebration
Thiruvathavur
is one of the Thevara Vaippu sthalam. This
is also the birthplace of Kabilar, who was praised by Sundarar in his Thevaram as
Poiadimai Illatha Pulavar. On the way had saw Sri Manickavasagar's temple,
where he was born. It was the second day of Vaikasi thiruvizha and the Urchavar
was kept in front of the temple when I landed. It was told that Urchavar would
return to the temple on the 10th day after the Thirukalyanam and Chariot
procession.
Moolavar : Sri Thirumarainathar
Consort : Sri Vethanayaki
Some
of the important features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank / Bairava Theertham is in
front of Rajagopuram. Adhikara Nandhi with his consort is in the Rajagopuram niche. In the sanctum moolavar is swayambhu and the footprint of the cow can be seen on the top, to signify that a Cow worshiped Lord Shiva. Utsavars, Dwarapalakas, balipeedam, Rishabam / Idabam, Palliyarai and Saraswati are in artha mandapam. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Durgai. The Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are
in the mukha mandapam. Siddhi Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are
in the mukha mandapam.
In
the praharam sannadhi for Moolai Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi,
Naalvar, Manikkavasakar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Bhairavar (without dog and soolam),
Navagrahas, Natarajar, Shiva linga, Chandran and Suriyan.
ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. There is a second-level mini rajagopuram. The adhistanam is a combination of Kabotham and padmam. The kumudam is of Salangai. A 12-pillared mandapam is on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram. It is believed that Lord Shiva danced in this mandapa and the sound was heard.
Ambal is in a temple like sannadhi with Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.
Shiva Danced in this 12-pillar mandapa
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS.
The
temple existed before the 7th Century, built by the early Pandyas, since
the period the temple was built is not known, and also one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Manickavasagar worked as a Chief Minister under Varakuna
Pandyan-II (862 – 885 CE) also called “Thennavan Brahma Rayan“. The 100-pillar mandapa was constructed during Manaikkavasakar’s period, with beautiful
pillars and kodungai.
A
fragment stone with an incomplete inscription refers to Lord Shiva as
Thirumarai Nathar and land gifted to the
temple. Only 16th to 17th-century partial inscriptions
are found in the front mandapa in unreadable condition. The temple has the
Vijayanagara Nayak's contributions. The temple was renovated completely during the years 1999, and 2014 and the fate of
old inscriptions is not known.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, during the war between Devas and Asuras, Vishnu gave asylum to Devas and Bhrigu Muni gave asylum to Asuras. When Vishnu asked to hand over demons/asuras Bhrigu Muni refused. So Vishnu chopped the head of Bhrigu Muni’s wife. Bhrigu Muni cursed Vishnu to take many births and he should be separated from his wife Lakshmi during the births. To get rid of the curse, Vishnu came to this place and found out about the Shiva Linga, which was worshiped by a cow by milking, from the pond.
By the grace of Lord Shiva of this temple, Sani Bhagavan was cured of Rheumatism/arthritis, due to the curse of Mandavya Muni, Bhairavar got back his vahana Dog (Bairavar will be without a Dog and Soolam), Agni got back his power due to Bhrigu Muni’s curse, Thirumal was made to realize that Shiva himself is the Vedha.
This temple is a prarthanai sthalam for Rheumatism/arthritis. To get cured, those who are affected used to come to this temple and do abhishekam to Shiva with Oil. The abhisheka oil has to be taken back home and applied to the affected leg and hands, and the same will be cured.
People pray to Lord Shiva for Child boon, marriage, debt, and flourish in business, especially in Iron business, etc. People also pray Bhairavar to get rid of pilli soonyam, eval/black magic.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept open between 06.30 to 11.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.00
hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
The
town bus 66 from Mattuthavani bus
terminus ( MGR bus terminus ) to Thiruvathavur.
Thiruvathavur
is about 9.5 KM from Melur, 20 KM from Mattuthavani
Bus Stand ( MGR Bus Terminus ) Madurai.
The nearest railway station is Madurai about 25 KM.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Manikkavasagar Urchavar
Adhikara Nandhi with his consort
Manickavasagar Sannadhi
a beautiful mandapa
THE MANICKAVASAGAR’S
BIRTHPLACE TEMPLE
This
temple is about 500 meters from Sri Thirumarainathar Temple, facing east. This
has entrances from east and west with arches. Stucco images of Manikkavasagar
getting upadesa from Lord Shiva as a guru are on the back side arch and Nalvar
ie Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, and Manickavasagar are in the
front arch. The temple was built with a sanctum and an open muka mandapa. In the
sanctum, Manickavasagar is in a standing position. A 2 tier Vimana is on the sanctum. The stucco images of Nalvar and Muni's standing &
sitting postures are on the Vimana.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Lord Shiva as Guru, Manikkavasagar getting upadesa
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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