This is
the 79th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 25th Sthalam
on the north side of River Kaveri. Now this place is called as Keezhai
Thirumanancheri or Thirumanancheri. Since Even-though these two Villages are
with the same name, this one is called as Thirumanancheri and the other one is
called as Keelai Thirumanancheri, which is not so popular. This is considered as Nithya Kalyana
Kshethram.
In
Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar mentions that Thirugnanasambandar, after worshiping
Lord Shiva of Anniyur, Thirukurukkai and Thiru Pandanallur Temples, came to this place.
அப்பதி போற்றி அகல்வார் அரனார் திருமணஞ்சேரிசெப்பஅரும் சீர்தொண்ட ரோடும் சென்று தொழுது இசைபாடிஎப்பொருளும் தரும் ஈசர் எதிர்கொள் பாடிப் பதி எய்திஒப்புஇல் பதிகங்கள் பாடி ஓங்கு வேள்விக்குடி
Thirugnanasambandar,
Appar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
அயிலாரும் அம்பத னால்புர மூன்றெய்துகுயிலாரு மென்மொழி யாள் ஒரு கூறாகிமயிலாரு மல்கிய சோலை மணஞ்சேரிப்பயில்வானைப் பற்றிநின் றார்க்கில்லை பாவமே....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் --“ நண்ணுவணஞ் சேரிறைவன் மகிழ்ந்து வணங்கும்மணஞ்சேரி நீங்கா மகிழ்வே........ திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri UthvagaNathaswamy, Sri Arulvallanatha
Swamy
Sri KalyanaSundareswararConsort : Sri Kohilambal
Some of
the important features of this temple are....The
temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam
are between, first level and 2nd level Rajagopurams. The
sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. In
koshtam, Pichadanar, Balaganapathy, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Ragu, Durgai,
Gangavisarjanar. Ambal as Kohilambigai is in a separate sannadhi, small in
size.
In
prakaram Nalvar, Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi, Kala Bhairava, Saneeswarar, Raghu (
is seen with human form with ornaments and ear rings ), Nalvar, Suryan,
Mahavishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Bharatha Maharishi, Queen Sembiyan
Mahadevi, Natarajar, Pachaiyappa Nayagi, Pachiappa Nathar and Mallappa Nayakar.
Ambal as
a bride to be watched in Stucco and Urchavar - young and beautiful shy smile on
her face ( naanam.) with head facing down.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThere were about 11 inscriptions recorded from
this temple. The earliest inscription
inscribed on the sanctum Sanctorum wall, belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-III (
1198 CE ). From this inscription and the iconography of sculptures the temple
might have been reconstructed during 12th Century. Most of the
inscriptions records the endowment of regular poojas, naivedyam, burning of
Perpetual lamps, feeding from thabasis, Sanyasis and celebrating functions. For
the same Goats, sheep, Gold, money, Lands are donated to this temple. Some inscription throw light on
the water management like maintenance of Tanks, yeri, kanmai, channels, etc,. Some inscriptions records the
sale of Land by the temple authorities for the Maintenance of the temple. Chembiayan
Mahadevi, wife of Kandraditha Chozha renovated the temple may be reconstructed
with Stone.
Kulothunga-III’s ( 1198CE ) inscription records
the endowment of Naivedyam of 2 nazhi rice and burning a perpetual lamp to
Kshetrapala Pillayar for which 500 kasu was deposited in the treasury, by one
Thevaradiyar Thillaivanamudayal Madhavalli.
During 13th Century Subramaniya
Pillayar was installed by Siruthondan and for the maintenance of mandapa 500
Kasu. The Temple authorities agreed for the 2 nazhi rice Naivedyam, and a
Sandhi Lamp.
Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan’s ( 1311CE ) 16th
year reign inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by
Veerapandya nallur Sri Vallan Somanathadevan for which a land was gifted to
this temple.
Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimai Kondan (
Sundara Pandyan )’s 14th year reign inscription records the
reduction of land taxes by half, for the
Veerakudi Nattar. His donations to this temple are recorded in the Cheppedu
also.
The 14th Century Hoysala King
Veeraramanathan’s 16th year reign inscription records the donation
of Land at Neyveli by 8 Kudi Araiyars. The same land was sold by the temple
authorities to some body and it came
back to the temple once again.
From inscriptions on the Amman Temple, The Amman
temple was constructed during 16th Century by Arasa Kanda Raman and during 17th
Century the same was renovated during Chokkanatha Thanda Nayaka.
A 17th Century inscription records that
A madam was built at Chidambaram by 4 Nattavars. A Kalathi Nayanar was
installed in the Madam, An amount of 50 was required for 6 months to maintain
the madam/ mutt. It was decided to give ½ of the land hold by the Veerakudi
nadu to this mutt. The taxes for the land was paid by the mutt.
Rajagopuram
was built during Mallappa Nayak’s period. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22nd
January 1970, 15th September 1986, after carried out the maintenance
jobs.
LEGENDSSTHALA PURANA -
Thiruvilayadal PuranamThe sthala purana is based on the 64 Thiruvilayadal
Puranam of Lord Shiva of Madurai. As Per sthala Purana, a Merchant of Poompuhar
lived with his wife. After a long year due
to the grace of Lord Shiva, they
had a female Child. He wishes to give his
daughter to marry his sister’s
son at Madurai and he told this to everybody in the village and neighbours.
When she attained the marriageable age the Merchant died suddenly after brief
illness and his wife took sati. Their daughter has become orphan and the
neighbours arrange for the last rites and sent a message to the Merchants
sister, son ie son – in-law at Madurai.
The Merchant’s son in-law, who was married
already, on hearing his uncle and aunt’s death, came to Poompuhar with his
relatives. He took the Merchant’s daughter along with the wealth to Madurai.
When his relatives were travelling in front, the Merchant’s son in-law and his
daughter followed. They stayed that night in a temple with a Shiva Linga, under
a Vanni Tree and a Well in the midst of a forest. When they were in sleep a
snake bit the Merchants Son in-law and died. She cried and prayed Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva in the form of an old man appeared and with the ash from the
madapalli and the holy water was sprinkled on the Merchants Son in-law and he
came alive. When they were asked to marry, they hesitated to marry without the
presence of their relatives. The Old man persuaded both and they got married in
presence of the Shiva Linga, Vanni Tree, well and the Old man considering him
as friends, relatives and neighbours.
கன்னியை யீன்ற ஞான்றே யுனைக் கென்றுன் காதன் மாமன்உன்னிய துறவினுள்ளார் அறிவரே யுனக்கீதன்றிவன்னியும் கிணறு மிந்தலிங்கமும் தறுகன் மைந்தாஇந்திவை வதுவை செய்தியெம் முறை கடவா தென்றார்.... திருவிளையாடல் புராணம் ( வ.சோதி உரையாசிரியர் )
After they reached, Madurai they had a child also.
There was a conflict and quarrel between
Merchants Son in-law’s elder wife and the younger wife erupted. This case was
posted in the Village sabha and asked the younger wife to prove that their
marriage as legal one. She told that the witness are the Vanni Tee, The well
and the old man. The sabha laughed at her and posted the case to the next day.
On that Night, Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and told that Vanni Tree and
the Well will come and stay near the Compound wall of Sri Meenakshi Temple, as
a witness. After seeing the Witness the Village sabha, praised for her for
Bhakthi towards Lord Shiva. The Merchant’s son in-law with his wives and
children lived happily. Even now there is no well and Sthala Vruksham in this
temple, since they went to Madurai as witness. It is believed that Lord Shiva’s
64th Thiruvilayadal was happened at this place.
It is believed that poisonous snakes will not be
there for a distance of Conch sound can be heard around this temple. If a
person was bitten of by snakes, drinking water 3 times from the Temple tank
will get cured. People prays Lord Shiva and Ambal consecutively for 3 weeks,
the obstacles in the marriage will be removed.
As per
the legend, ma Parvati wishes to marry Shiva once again. Ma Parvati as a Cow along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Indrani and others
roamed in this area. Maha Vishnu took the form of herder took care of them. Ma
parvati worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of Cow. Lord Shiva pleased by Ma
Parvati’s milk abhishekam and hoops affectionate touch. So, Lord Shiva made her
to appear as a child from the Kameshti yagna conducted by Bharatha Maharishi.
She was brought up by the Maharishi at Ethirkolpadi and Lord Shiva married her
at this place Thirumanancheri.
There is
a saying that, ma Parvati was cursed to born as cow at Therazhundur, roamed as
cow in Asuvatha forest, at Komal Maha Vishnu took care of her as herder, at
Thirukozhamam, Lord Shiva was pleased by the hoofs affectionate touch, at
Thiruvaduthurai mukthi was given to the cow form, at Kuthalam ma Parvati
appeared as a child from the yagna conducted by Bharatha maharishi, at
Thiruvelvikudi ma Parvati had the sacred marriage bath with gangana tharanam,
at Kurumulaipal, paalikai sthapana was done, at Ethirkolpadi ma Parvati met
Lord Shiva and at Thirumanancheri Lord Shiva married ma Parvati. This is
a Rahu graha dosha parihara sthalam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSEvery
Month, on new moon days Amavasai special
poojas are conducted for Raghu in the morning hours. This pooja is done for
Child boon – Santhana Prapthi. Rahu here is in human form wearing ornaments. This
is a Rahu dosha Parihara sthalam.
Devotees
with marriage obstacles Pray Lord Shiva and Ambal with two garlands. The same
will be given back to them. After marriage they should bring the garlands and
perform pooja at this temple.
Apart
from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on 3 days wedding festival of
Lord Shiva and Parvati on Poosam Star day in Chithirai ( April- May ),
Aadi pooram in Tamil month Aadi ( July – August ), Thirukarthigai in Tamil Month
Karthigai ( Nov- Dec), Thiruvathirai in Margazhi ( Dec- Jan ), Maha Shivaratri
in Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradosham.
It is believed that poisonous snakes will not be
there for a distance of Conch sound can be heard around this temple. If a
person was bitten of by snakes, drinking water 3 times from the Temple tank
will get cured. People prays Lord Shiva and Ambal consecutively for 3 weeks,
the obstacles in the marriage will be removed.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to
20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSThe temple office phone numbers +91 4364 23500,
4364 230661 and 235002 may be contacted for further details.The Land line number +914322 221084 may be
contacted for further details.Email-ID : pudukkottaithirukovilgal@gmail.comTemple
web site
HOW TO REACH :Town bus
is available from Mayiladuthurai to Thirumanancheri Via Kuthalam. This place is
on the bus route Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam via Kuthalam. Get down at
Kuthalam, take diversion to Pandanallur. After crossing Anjar Varthalai
Village ask for Thirumanancheri.The
Thirumanancheri is about 17 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 30 KM from Kumbakonam, 34
KM from Sirkazhi, 58 KM from Chidambaram and 272 KM from Chennai.Nearest
Railway station is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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