This Shiva temple is at Thirumeyignyanam. This is the fifth Mayanam Sthalam. The other Mayanam are at Kanchipuram, Sirkazhi, Thiruveezhimalai and Thirukadiyur. At present this place is known as Thirunallur Mayanam. During puranic days this place was known as Chaturvedi Mangalam.
This is about 16 kilometers from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Kudavasal route (via Thirucherai), 3 kms from Kudavasal, 4 kms from Thirucherai, 25 kms from Thiruvarur. This is on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam. Lord Shiva of this temple was revered in sacred hymns by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar. Hence this temple must have existed even before the 7th century. It is believed to have been constructed as a Mada Kovil in brick structure by Kochengat Cholan. It was reconstructed as a stone structure by Aditya Chola I. There are 24 stone inscriptions in the temple which record endowments and gifts made by various kings. The present structure is more than 1500 years old.
Moolavar: Shri Gnyanaparameshwarar, Shri Mayanathu Parameshwarar, Shri Mayanathu Mulathanathu Peruman
Devi: Shri Gnyanambika, Shri Periyanayaki
Sacred Theertha: Gnyana Theertha, Chandra Theertha
Sacred Vruksha: Palasa, Bilva
Puranik Name: Thiru Mayanam, Thiru Nallur Mayanam, Nathur
Present Name: Thirumeyignyanam
District: Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Kshetra Puran:
1. The Kshetra Puran is associated with Apastambha Rishi. He is believed to have darshan of Lord Shiva at this place. He is the author of Apastambha Dharmasutra. He is the founder of Apastambha Shakha of Yajurveda. The Apastambha sutra is one of the three dharma sutras from the Taittiriya school of Krishna Yajurveda.
2. According to the Kshetra Puran, this place was known as Chaturveda Mangalam. This place was a settlement of highly learned brahmins from all four vedas. This settlement was created by the king who was ruling this region in ancient times. This place was earlier known as Naalvediyur (in Tamil, Naal means four, vediyur means Vedic brahmins) which got corrupted to Nallur.
3. As this place was a forest of Palasa trees (Purasu in Tamil, flame of the forest), Lord Shiva was praised as Lord Palasavaneshwarar.
4. As per the Sthala Puran, snakes have been witnessed around the Shiva Linga, a number of times from ancient times. In his sacred hymn, Shaiva Saint Sambandhar has mentioned about the snakes around Shiva Linga as if they are worshiping Lord Shiva.
5. As Lord Shiva imparted knowledge to Sages and Vedas he is praised as Gnyanparameshwarar.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Brahma, Shaiva Saint Thirugnyanasambandhar, Four Vedas and Sage Apastambha.
Special features:
1. In the Sanctum, sometimes we come across serpent coiled around Shiva Linga.
2. The Sanctum is square shaped.
3. There is no Rajagopuram but there is an unfinished Gopuram with an entrance arch.
4. Sun’s rays fall on Shiva Linga on 3rd, 4th and 5th days of Tamil month Chitrai.
About the temple:
This is an east facing temple. The temple has no Rajagopuram. It has a beautiful entrance on which we find sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, with Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka on the sides. The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, Antarala and Ardha Mandap. Nandi and Balipeeth are facing the Sanctum. Sanctum is square shaped. Sacred theertha is opposite to the temple. Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga and it is small. The Sanctum Sanctorum vimanam has a gaja prushtha shape. The pillars of the Sanctum Sanctorum are circular and have beautiful sculptures.
Sun’s rays fall on Shiva Linga on 3rd, 4th and 5th days of Chitrai.
Koshta Murtis: Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Lord Bhikshadanar, Lord Nataraja, Lord Bhairav, Lord Mahavishnu and Goddess VishnuDurga. Lord Chandikeshwarar shrine is in its usual position.
On the wall of the Sanctum there is a sculpture of Chola king worshiping the Shiva Linga.
Other shrines and deities:
There is a shrine of Lord Mahavishnu, a shrine of Lord Muruga, a shrine of Navagraha, a shrine of Thiru Gnyanasambandhar. We have the idols of Naga, Atmalinga, Lord Shanishwarar, Lord Bhairav, Lord Surya. In the parikrama, we have Shiva Linga of Lord Amrutkadeshwar, Lord SattaiNathar, Lord Ekambareshwar.
Goddess Ambika is in a separate south facing shrine in the Mahamandap to the left of Sanctum.
We come across the idols and shrines of Somaskandar, Lord Kumbhakarna Vinayaka, Utsav Murtis, Muchukunda Chakravarti, Romesha Maharishi, Shaiva Saint Naalvar, Lord Arunachaleshwarar, Lord Vishwanath and Goddess Vishalakshi, Lord Shanishwarar, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Swarna Vinayaka, Lord Dakshin Kailash Nathar, Lord Uttar Kailash Nathar, Lord Subramanya with Valli and Deivanai and Lord Veezhiazhagar.
Prayers:
1. Devotees worship at this place for removal of marriage obstacles, prosperity, excellence in education and knowledge.
Pooja:
Daily three times a day. Pradosha puja are performed regularly.
Festivals:
Aavani (Aug-Sept) - Vinayaka Chaturthi
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai Deepam,
Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishekam
Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri
Special utsavs in the month of Purattasi, Masi and Margazhi.
Temple Timings: 8 am to 11 am, 5 pm to 7.30 pm
Address:
Shri Gnyanaparameshwarar Temple,
Thirunallur Mayanam (Thirumeignyanam),
At post Thirucherai,
Taluka Kumbhakonam,
Tamil Nadu 612605
Phone: +91-9486767962, +91-7502056284, +91-9443959839
Contact number of priest: Shri Tamizh Mani Gurukkal - +91-9443974854
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