10th
May 2019.
On
10th May 2019, afternoon plan was to visit Sri. Thirumarai Nathar
Temple at Thiruvathavur. I didn’t know that the bus will pass through
Thirumohur and happened to see the Vishnu’s Temple arch on the road side.
Decided to visit this Perumal Temple also, since this is one of the 108 Divya
Desam temples. Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar, Thirumangai Alwar. On return to Madurai dropped at Thirumohur. To suit the name of
Perumal, it was rained for about 15 minutes when I was in the temple.
Moolavar : Sri Kalamega Perumal
Thayar : Sri Mohanavalli
Some
of the important features of this temple are..
The
Temple is facing east. A 5 tier Rajagopuram with a front mandapam is on the
east side. The Kambathadi mandapam built by Maruthu brothers abutting the
second level Rajagopuram. Palipedam and Dwajasthambam are in the mandapam. On
the left there is a dilapidated mandapam. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Thayar
Mohanavalli, on the back Chakkarathalwar, Pallikonda Perumal, Hanuman,
Navaneethakrishnan and Andal.
Chakkarathalwar
temple is a special one in this temple. The vimana over the Chakkarathalwar is
covered with copper plate with gold plating. The original Chakkarathalwar
temple was constructed during 13th Century Pandya Period, Since the
temple was dilapidated, this temple was constructed inside the prakaram. The
old Chakkarathalwar is with 16 hands holds 16 weapons. In sanctum Perumal is in standing posture
where as, Sridevi and Bhoodevi are in sitting posture.
ARCHITECTURE
The
sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam
( Garuda mandapam ). The adhisthana has the combination of Upanam, Padmam, Kabotham with nasi kood,
Kumudhan , wall, Pirastharam, Greevam, Sigaram and Stupi. etc. On the top
Prastaram has kabotham with simha nasi, Yazhivari. The 2 stage Vimana is the
combination of Nagara and on the top is in round Vesara shape with Nasi. The
sanctum walls are with Koshtam, Pilasters, Kumbapancharam. Sanctum Vimana was
built during Vijayanagara period.
Two
side entrances are provided at ardha mandapa and Maha mandapa. After Pandya,
maximum contributions were done by the Vijayanagara rulers. The 1st
and 2nd prakara walls are raised like fort during Viijayanagara
period. Maha mandapam, Garuda mandapam, Kambathadi mandapa also constructed during
Vijayanagara period.
Architectural marvel
Architectural marvel
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
Even
though the temple exists since 1st Century, the inscriptions are
available from 13th Century.
The inscriptions belongs to Pandya Kings,
Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan-I ( 1251- 1271 CE ), Maravarman Kulasekara
Pandyan-I ( 1268- 1311 CE ) Sadyavarman Sundara Pandyan ( 1304 – 1319 CE ), Komaravarman
Konerinmai Kondan and Vijayanagara dynasty Rajamaraja Vittaladeva Maharayar ‘s officers
Vasavana Nayak and his son Thimmappa Nayak, ( 1551 CE ). As per the inscriptions the place was called
as Theparappu Nattu ThiruMohur, the temple as Paramaswamikal Koil and Perumal as
Kalamegaperumal.
The
inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of land, Villages Siru Kundrathur, Bramadeyam
Aalodupattan Poomaarapavithra Chaturvedi mangalam, Veeranarayana
Chaturvedi mangalam after bifurcating Thiruvedagam, renovation of Temples,
Creation of nandhavanam after abolishing Taxes and paddy towards conducting regular
poojas, naivedyam ( food offered to God ).
A 13th century latter Pandya period inscription records the endowment of Markzhi month Kalyana utsavam, for which order was given by Lord Kalamega Perumal. To carryout the order Kunthavai Chathurvedimangalam Andhanar was mede incharge. Also mentions the prasadam after naivedyam has to be given to two people who worked for this Utsavam.
Kulasekara Pandyas (18th reign year inscription )13th Century inscription records the endowment of proving the Prasadam to the person who had established the Thirumadaivalagam. This was executed by the Jeear Soumidradasar received 10 achchu ( Kasus - money ) and deposted in the Pandaram ( treasury ) from a Thachchar ( Achari...?).
Maravarvam Kulasekara Pandyan-I's 40th reign year ( 13th Cenrtury ), inscription records that Thenparappu Nattu Pannattan Kottai Village was gifted to Vedanayagar Temple constructed in the name of the King on the banks Theerthakarai at Thungavanam, which is on the south side of Yanai malai.
Sadyavarman Sundara Pandyan's 8th reign year inscription records the gift of lands in Veeranarayana Chaturvedimangalam, as Thiruvidaiyattam for Thirupani. This lands are near Solavandan. The inscription also mentions the starting of 8th pasana year ( cultivation year. )
Madurai Nayaka period inscription records the construction of compund wall in the years 1698, 1699 and 1700 CE by Thalavay Narasappaiyan's Son Vengappaiyan. ( Thalavay was the official under the Madurai Nayaks ).
Kumbhabhishekam
was conducted in 1924, 1979, 1990 ( Palli Konda Perumal Kumbhabhishekam with
new Vimana ) and 2009. From 1897 The temple was under the control of Madurai District
Devasthana Committee and from 1948 HR&CE took over. Till 1980 the temple
was with Arulmigu Kallazhagar Temple and from 1981 a special officer was
appointed.
LEGEND & MYTHS
As
per the legend Durvasa Maharishi cursed Indira, to loose all his wealth, when
he was not given respect. Due to this the devas lost their strength and the
Asuras regained. As per the advice of
Vishnu Devas and Asuras churned the Thiruparkadal to get the nectar (
Amruth). An aalakala poison came first and the same was consumed and kept in
the throat by Lord Shiva. After that Jyeshta Devi, Lakshmi and finally nectar
has come. The Devas and Asuras fight each other to consume first. Vishnu took
the form of Mohini and gave it Devas after mesmerize the Asuras. The place
where Vishnu gave to Devas was this place Thirumohur. Initially it was called
as Mohana Kshethram latter corrupted to Mohiniyur and then Mohiyur and to the
present name Thirumohur.
In
puranas Brahmanda Purana and Matsya purana this place was called as
Mohana kshethram.
Sri
Chakkarathalwar is more powerful than Perumal of this temple. The sannadhi
vimanam is covered with copper plate with gold plating. People used to worship
Chakkarathalwar for Child boon, Marriage, to get rid of Pilli soonyam, eval ( Black magic),
Debt, etc, to flourish in the business.
Important functions:
Every month Thiuvonapurapadu, Achariyars Nakshatram, and day, Vaikasi 10 days
festival with car procession & theerthavari, Chakkarathalwar Nakshatra and Chitra day Sudharsana Homam are conducted. Apart from this Muppazha
Thirunal, Sri Andal Thirunal, Navarathri, Deepavali thaila kappu for moolavar,
Vaikunta Ekadasi, Gajendra Moksham, Panguni Thirukalyanam are celebrated in a
grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to
20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
land line numbers +91 452 2423227 and +91 452 2423444 may be contacted for
further details.
HOW TO REACH:
Town
buses route nos 712, 716, 718 , 66 are
passes through this place and special buses will be operated during festival
days.
Nearest
Railway station is Madurai.
10
KM from Madurai, 2KM from Melur and 152 KM from Trichy.
Chakkarathalwar Sannadhi Vimanam- copper with gold plated
Temple tank with temple view
Chinnamaruthu & Periyamaruthu
Front mandapam reliefs
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
