This temple is situated at a distance of 25 kms from Mayiladuthurai on Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur route. It is very close to Shri Saraswati temple at Koothanur. This is a Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri (on southern bank of Arisilaru – a tributary of Kaveri). Shaiva Saint Sambandhar and Saint Arunagirinathar have revered this temple in their sacred hymns. This is one of the 7 places that is considered as special for performing last rights. The other 6 places are – Kashi, Rameshwar, Gaya, Triveni Sangam, Shri Vanchiam & Thiruvenkadu. The original temple must have existed even before the 7th century. It was reconstructed as a stone structure by Vijayanagar kings. Later on, it was renovated by Nattu Kottai Chettiar.
Moolavar: Shri Madhimuktheswarar, Shri Mandarvaneshwarar
Devi: Shri Swarnavalli, Shri Maragadavalli, Shri Porkodiammai,
Utsav Murti: Shri Somaskandar
Kshetra Vruksha: Mandar tree
Sacred Theertha: Suryapushkarini, Chandra Theertha, River Arisilaru, Brahma Theertha
Puranik Name: Thiruthilathaipathi, Tilatarpanpuri.
Kshetra Puran:
1. Lord Brahma fell in love with the celestial damsel Urvashi. So he was cursed by Lord Shiva. As an atonement he was asked to do penance on earth. Lord Brahma came to this place and did penance to get rid of the curse. He was granted Darshan and relieved of the curse by Lord Shiva.
2. Lord Shriram and Laxman learnt about the death of their father Dasharath during their vanavaas. They performed the last rights of their father at various places. At all the places the pindas turned into worms. Lord Shriram prayed to Lord Shiva who advised him to do Pitru Tarpan at this place (Mandarvanam) after taking bath in the river. When Lord Shriram performed the pitru rights as per direction of Lord Shiva the pindas turned into Shivalingas i.e. they attained mukti. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Muktishwarar.
3. As per the Sthala Puran, Lord Shriram and Laxman performed last rites of Jatayu at this place.
4. Naramukha-Vinayaka - According to the Puran, once Goddess Parvati created a boy with Turmeric powder. She gave life and kept him as a guard while she was taking bath in the Harysol (Arisilaru) Mahanadi. When Lord Shiva tried to enter the place, he was prevented by the boy. So Lord Shiva beheaded the boy. When Goddess Parvati saw this, she burst into tears as the boy was her son. In order to console her, Lord Shiva asked his Ganas to select the head of anyone who was sleeping with head towards the North. They found the head of the elephant and brought it to Lord Shiva. He attached that head to the boy and made him come back to life again. He made him the commander of his troops. He named him Ganapati. He granted him a boon that he will be worshiped first before starting any work or ceremony. As he is the first Ganesha created by Goddess Parvati, he is Aadi-Naramukha-Vinayaka.
5. A King from Kashi named Narchodhi wanted to perform the last rites of his father. He wanted to offer the Pinda (rice bowls) to the ancestors directly. He did Pinda Daan at several places which were not accepted. Finally when he did Pinda Daan at this place, his ancestors accepted the offering. Hence this place is considered very auspicious for performing the Pinda Daan.
Those who worshipped at this place: Goddess Parvati, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Brahma, Lord Surya, Lord Shanishwarar, Elephant Aairavat, King Narchodhi.
Salient Features:
1. The idol of Lord Ganesha is with a human face.
2. Lord Mahavishnu is depicted at 3 places in the temple in 3 positions
3. Goddess Parvati is praised as Swarnavalli.
4. All idols are very beautiful especially Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Shriram, Goddess Durga and Lord Vishnu.
5. It is believed that Lord Surya and Lord Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva at this place at the same time. Hence all the days are considered as Amavasya. Hence their idols are kept together. Therefore all the days are considered as auspicious for conducting Pitru Tarpan at this place.
6. There are paintings of 63 Nayanmars on the walls of Prakaram.
7. It is believed that Lord Shiva bestows Mukti to ancestors when the rights are performed here. Hence he is addressed as Muktishwarar and the place is praised as Thirutarpanpuri.
8. When Lord Shriram did tarpan here, he made 4 Pindas representing Mother, Father, Guru and God. After worshipping them he made Tarpanam. Later the Pindas became 4 Shivalingas.
9. Goddess Ashtabhuja-Durga has her left leg slightly behind.
10. In Navagraha shrine Lord Surya is on a higher pedestal than the others.
11. At this place the river Arisilaru flows in a North-South direction. Hence she is praised as Uttara-vahini.
12. It is believed that when one worships at this place, he becomes prosperous.
About the Temple:
This is a small temple and is well maintained. The Rajagopuram was constructed recently. There is no Dhwajastambha. The temple is facing East. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Ardha mandap. Balipeetha and Nandi are facing the sanctum. In the outer prakaram, we come across an idol of Lord Rama performing Pitru Tarpan. The 4 lingas nearby are known as Pitru Linga. The main deity at this place is known as Lord AadiVinayaka. Also praised as Lord Naramukha-Ganapati (Lord Ganesha with human face). He is housed in a separate shrine. This temple existed even before the 7th century and was renovated by Vijayanagar kings. Lord Shiva is a Swayambhoo Murti and he is under a Dwi-tala-vimanam (2 storeyed gopuram).
Kostha Murtis: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma and Goddess Ashtabhuja-Durga.
To the right side of Lord Shiva we come across Ambika’s shrine. In the prakaram we come across shrines and idols of Lord Vinayaka, Lord Subramanya with his consorts, God Gajalaxmi, Navagraha, Lord Chandra, Lord Surya, Lord Bhairava, Shaiva saints Naalvar, idol of Nagaraja, Shivalinga worshipped by Lord Shriram, Lord Kashi Vishwanath, Lord Nataraja with Goddess Shivagami. Shri Mandarvaneshwarar is under the Kshetra Vruksha. Idol of Lord Mahavishnu is found at 3 different places in the temple in 3 different postures.
Prayers:
1. Devotees perform Pitru Tarpanam as this is a Parihar sthala for Pitrudosha.
2. Devotees worship Goddess Swarnavalli for prosperity.
Poojas: Daily 4 times; Monthly Sankashta Chaturthi pooja and Pradosha pooja
Festivals:
Aaipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek,
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai,
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Aarudra darshan
Maasi (Feb-March): Mahashivratra, Maasi-Magam
Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uttiram (pooja on Uttara Phalguni nakshatra)
Timings: 6 am to noon; 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Address:
Shri Madhimuktheswarar Temple,
Sethalapathi At Poonthottam,
Taluka: Nanillam,
District: Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu 609503
Phone: 04366-239818; 9442714055
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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