This
Sri Moondreeswarar Temple is about a km from the Sri Gajendra Varadar Temple in the
same village. This is one of the Pancha Guru Sthalams and a Pancha Booth (akaya) Sthalam.
Moolavar : Sri Moontreeswaramudayar
Consort : Sri Maragathambigai
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with a 4 pillar mandapam. In mukha mandapam,
Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam. In koshtam, only Dakshinamurthy. Moolavar is on a
round avudayar. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance, and Balipeedam and
Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
In
praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Ambal, Chandikeswarar,
Adhikara Nandi, Suriyan, Chandran, Juradevar, and Saptakannis. A Shiva with Ambal is in a separate temple on
the south side of the Sri Moondreeswarar Temple.
Ambal
is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya
varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The Sanctum
Sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and
pattikai. The Bhirtti starts with Vedikai. Brahmakantha pilasters are on the
bhitti with kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram
consists of valapi with bhuta ganas, kapotam with plain nasikudus, and viyyalavari.
An ekatala vesara Vimanam is on the Bhumidesam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha
Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is believed that the original temple was constructed during the 14th to
15th century Pandya period and later reconstructed, and a praharam was
also added by the Madurai Nayakas. The mukha mandapam was extended by the Nayakas, and
donors' images are on the pillars.
Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08th April 2009.
LEGENDS
Dakshinamurthy’s
sitting posture is unique in this temple, with the right leg hanging and the left leg folded
and resting on the right leg's knee. The left leg’s palm is facing up.
There are three Shiva Lingas with Rishabams in this temple, called Moondreeswarar Temple.
This
is one of the Pancha guru sthalam and a Pancha booth sthalam, ie, Akaya sthalam, similar to Kalahasti.
Sage
Agasthiyar came to Pothigai Hills to balance the earth. On the way, he
worshipped many Shiva Lingas and believed that this was one of the places where
he did penance. Many siddhars and Maharishis also chose this place for
penance. Hence, this place is considered a Siddhar peedam.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from oru kala, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri days.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
As
per the display board, the temple will be kept open from 09.30 to 10.30
hrs and from 17.30 hrs to 18.30 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Archakar’s mobile number is +919600416416, and may be contacted for further details. The trustee’s mobile number is +917871005814, and may be contacted for further details.
HOW
TO REACH
The
temple at Athalanallur is about 1.2 km from Thiruppudaimarudur, 11 km from
Ambasamudram, 22 km from Pavanasam Shiva temple, 25 km from Tirunelveli, and 44
km from Tenkasi.
The nearest railway Station is Ambasamudram.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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