This is
the 173rd Thevara
Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri and the 56th
temple of Chozha Nadu. Even though this
is one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Temples, this temple is popularly known as
Lalithambigai Temple. Thirumeeyachur Ilangkovil is a part of the main temple
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records
that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of
Akkur.
தக்க அந்தணர் மேவும் அப் பதியினில்
தான் தோன்றி மாடத்துச்
செக்கவார் சடை அண்ணலைப் பணிந்து இசைச்
செந்தமிழ் தொடைபாடி
மிக்க கோயில்கள் பிறவுடன் தொழுதுபோய் மீயச்சூர் பணிந்து ஏத்திப்
பக்கம் பாரிடம் பரவநின்று ஆடுவார்
பாம்புர நகர் சேர்ந்தார்
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have
sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.பொன்னேர் கொன்றை மாலை புரளும் அகலத்தான்
மின்னேர் சடைகள் உடையான் மீயச் சூரானைத்
தன்னேர் பிறரில் லானைத் தலையால் வணங்குவார்
அந்நேர் இமையோர் உலகம் எய்தற் கரிதன்றே’
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
ஓகாளக்
காயச்சூர் விட்டுக்கதிசேர வேட்டவர் சூழ்
மீயச்சூர் தண்ணென்னும் வெண்ணெருப்பே” – மாயக்
களங்கோயில் நெஞ்சக் கயவர் மருவா
இளங்கோயில் ஞான இனிப்பே
..... திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar : Sri Meganathar, Sri Muyarchinathar.
Consort : Sri Soundaryanayagi, Sri Lalithambigai.
Some of the salient features of this
temple are........
The Temple faces east with a 5-Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. A second level 3-tier mini Rajagopuram is in front of the Temple complex. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In Koshtam Kshetra Bhubaneswar (Gangadhara/Alingna Murti – Lord Shiva pacifies ma Parvati’s anger), Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy with Brahma and Vishnu on both sides, Brahma, Durgai, Chandrasekar, and Rishabaroodar. Dwarapalakas are made of stucco.
The Temple faces east with a 5-Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. A second level 3-tier mini Rajagopuram is in front of the Temple complex. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In Koshtam Kshetra Bhubaneswar (Gangadhara/Alingna Murti – Lord Shiva pacifies ma Parvati’s anger), Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy with Brahma and Vishnu on both sides, Brahma, Durgai, Chandrasekar, and Rishabaroodar. Dwarapalakas are made of stucco.
In praharam, Nagalingam, Sekkizhar, Naalvar, Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas-
Agni, Appu, Akasa, Vayu, and Prithvi, Shiva Lingas worshiped by Indran, Kubera, and
Yaman, Bhairavar and Suriyan.
Ambal Lalithambigai is in a separate Temple with sanctum, antarala and
artha mandapam. Ambal is in sitting posture (Suhasana) with a provision to
wear anklets. This temple is considered as the 1st Sakthi peedam of
Sakthi, hence Ambal Lalithambigai is referred to as an Adi Parasakthi. It is
believed that “Lalitha Sahasranamam” originated from this Lalithambigai.
The temple is on the right side
immediately after the Rajagopuram. A Vesara Vimana is over the sanctum. Deva
koshta murtis are around sanctum sanctorum.
ARCHITECTURE
The main sanctum sanctorum consists
of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum (Gajaprishta) is on a padma bandha adhistanam with virudha kumudam. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus and vyyalavari. A single tier / eka tala Gajaprishta Vimanam is on the
sanctum santorum with 3 kalasas. In addition to Deva Koshtas, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma
are in the giriva koshtam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have been existed before the 7th Century. It is believed that the temple was built by the Ko Chengat Chozha. The original temple was constructed with brick and the same was reconstructed into a stone temple by Sembiyan Mahadevi, during the Rajaraja period. Further extended during the Pandya period.
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have been existed before the 7th Century. It is believed that the temple was built by the Ko Chengat Chozha. The original temple was constructed with brick and the same was reconstructed into a stone temple by Sembiyan Mahadevi, during the Rajaraja period. Further extended during the Pandya period.
There are 7 inscriptions recorded from this temple.
The inscriptions belong to Chozhas Parakesari, Rajakesari and Pandyas. There
are no medieval-period inscriptions found. Most of the inscriptions record the
endowment of burning perpetual lamps for which a gift of lands was made to this
temple.
Koparakesarivarman’s 3rd
reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamps for
which 90 Sheep/goats were gifted by Vetkovan Pukazhan MunnooRRuvan of
Thirumeeyachur. The same person also donated land for burning a perpetual
lamp.
Parantaka Chozha-I’s 7th
reign inscription records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps for the
same uncultivated land was reformed into a cultivable land and gifted to
this temple by Yaazhakan in the name of his sister and mother.
A 15th to 16th-century inscription without the King's name records the endowment of Parivattam,
naivedyam, Vegetable rice, oil for the perpetual lamps, for which a Pooja
mandapam, Mathilsala Samudra tank ( looks like a sea ), and the farm that contains the trees coconut, mango, jackfruit and Iluppai on
the 4 banks of the sala Samudram.
Parakesarivarman Prantaka Chozha-Is,
15th reign year inscription records the endowment of Musical
instruments like Timilai and other instruments, by Cholai Sathan, alias
KansirukaiParalurudayar.
A 10th to 11th
Century fragment of inscriptions records the burning of Sandhi lamps for which
money of 10 kasu, and 20 Kasu are gifted by ladies Perumchelivisani, Umaiyazhvi,
Thiruvagastheeswaramudayar
As per Nannilam Vattak Kalvettukal and SII inscription Volume 8, it was mentioned as Mihiraruneswarar Temple at Thirumeeyachur. It is not known whether Lord Shiva was called by this name also
or another Shiva temple exists in the same Village during that period. The inscriptions belong to Parantaka Chozha-I, Rajakesari Varman, Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan,
Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan, and Maravarman Srivallabha Pandyan. These inscriptions mainly record the gift of
lands, housing land, Taxes collected, and money, to this temple towards pooja,
worship, Naivedyam, burning of perpetual lamps, sandhi lamps, etc for both Lord
Shiva and Kamakotta Nachiyar shrines ( Ambal ). In one of the Pandya
Inscriptions, it was mentioned that the taxes levied like, pala Pattadai, Thari
Irai, Thattar pattam, Chenaikkadai, Vettaikarar Kadai, Kulavaadai, Meenpattam,
Chekkayam, Vannarkarkasu and Uppuvazhsarikai. The name of the money mentioned
was Bhuvanesuveeran kasu.
Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted
on 3rd November 2000 and 08th Feb 2015, after
renovations. The temple is under the administrative control of Thirupugalur
Velakurichi Adheenam.
Ref
1. Nannilam Vattak Kalvettukal and
2. SII inscription Volume 8
LEGENDS
This is the birthplace of Garuda, Aruna the Charioteer of Sun, Vali, Sugriva, Yaman, and Saneeswarar. They all worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Kali also worshiped Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati of this temple.
This is the birthplace of Garuda, Aruna the Charioteer of Sun, Vali, Sugriva, Yaman, and Saneeswarar. They all worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Kali also worshiped Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati of this temple.
Suriyan worshiped Lord Shiva of this
temple to get rid of the curse and get
back his power. The sun's rays fall on
Moolavar from the 21st to the 27th
of the month of Chithirai (April – May). Special poojas are conducted on these
days.
In another legend, Ma Parvati got
angry with Lord Shiva, when he took the Ganga on his head. Lord Shiva pacified in
this temple, hence Ambal is called Shantha Nayagi. In the process of Lord
Shiva pacifying Ma Parvati as Lalithambigai, it is believed that 8 angles called
“Vachinies”- a personification of speeches- emerged from the mouth of Ambal
Lalithambigai which started praising Ambal with 1000 names – Lalitha Sahasranamam. This legend is beautifully sculpted in the form of an idol installed in one
of the koshtams.
In another legend, Lord Hayagreeva one of the disciples of Ambal Lalithambigai, conveyed the significance of
“Lalitha Sahasranamam” to the sage Agasthiyar. Agasthiyar came to this temple
and worshiped Lord Shiva and Ambal Lalithambigai. Ambal granted the darshan in
the form of “Navaratna” – nine precious stones. The sage Agasthiyar has sung
hymns “Navaratna malai” and “Rahasyanamasahasram”.
It is believed that Yama, the deity
of death came to this temple and worshiped ma Lalithambigai after doing
abhishekam with 1008 conches/sangu. And also offered “Pirandai Rice” to Ambal
( -Pirandai – a herbal creeper which is the best medicine for the backbone pains).
There is an interesting incident that happened during the year 1999. Ma Lalithambigai wants to wear anklets and is told in the dream of a Bangalore
devotee. Since She didn’t know the exact temple, she went to many temples. Finally, She came to this temple. Initially, the priest and the temple authorities were reluctant
to see the provision. After her continuous persuasion, the temple authorities
found holes to provide anglet, which was blocked due to so many years of abhishekam materials and oil. Later it
was a hole in the nose to adorn the nose too. Devotees now offering
kolusu to Ambal Lalithambigai.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on all the important Hindu festivals. Anna Paavadai is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple on Vijayadasami day in Navratri festival, Ashtami day in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Full moon day in the month Vaikasi.
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on all the important Hindu festivals. Anna Paavadai is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple on Vijayadasami day in Navratri festival, Ashtami day in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Full moon day in the month Vaikasi.
Ratha Saptami is celebrated in a
grand manner. Ratha Saptami is the starting of Uttarayanam, in which the Sun
travels from North to south during the period Thai (Jan – Feb ) month to Aani
( June – July ).
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :
The landline and mobile numbers +91 4366 239170 & 9444836526 may be contacted for further Details.
The landline and mobile numbers +91 4366 239170 & 9444836526 may be contacted for further Details.
HOW TO REACH :
This place Thirumeeyachur is on the way from Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur ( Via Peralam ), from there 2 KM.
The place Thirumeeyachur is 2 KM before Peralam. 18 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 26 KM from Thiruvarur, 27 KM from Karaikal, 33 KM from Kumbakonam, and 275 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Peralam and Junction is Mayiladuthurai.
This place Thirumeeyachur is on the way from Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur ( Via Peralam ), from there 2 KM.
The place Thirumeeyachur is 2 KM before Peralam. 18 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 26 KM from Thiruvarur, 27 KM from Karaikal, 33 KM from Kumbakonam, and 275 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Peralam and Junction is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Some of the photos are taken from Google's website. Thanks to the unknown photographers
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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