This is the 2nd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. Now called as Thirumetraleeswarar Temple, in Pillayar Palayam, part of Kanchipuram. Sundarar and Thirunavukkarasar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The 18th Century saint Sri Sivagnana Swamikal had written the sthala purana of this temple in which he mentions that Maha Vishnu tranforemed to Shiva Linga for Thirugnanasambandar’s hymn and the hymn is not traceable.
நொந்தா வொண்சுடரே நுனையேநி னைந்திருந்தேன்
வந்தாய் போயறியாய் மனமேபு குந்துநின்ற
சிந்தாய் எந்தைபிரான் திருமேற்ற ளிஉறையும்
எந்தாய் உன்னையல்லால் இனி ஏத்த மாட்டேனே.
.... சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்
மறையது பாடிப் பிச்சைக்கு என்றுஅகம் திரிந்து வாழ்வார்
பிறையது சடைமு டிமேற் பெய்வளை யாள்த னோடும்
கறையது கண்டம் கொண்டார் காஞ்சிமா நகர்தன் உள்ளார்
இறையவர் ஆடல் பாடல் இலங்கு மேற்றளிய னாரே
... திருநாவுக்கரசு தேவாரம்
Iraivan : Sri Metraleeswar, Tirumetralinathar.
Iraivi : Sri Metrali Nayagi
Some of the important features of this temple are …..
A 3 tier Rajagopuram on the east side of the temple complex with Vinayagar and Subramaniyar sannadhis. Balipedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram, in the prakara. There are two Shiva Shrines in side this temple. The main shrine of Sri Metraleeswarar is facing west. The another shrine Otha urugesar is facing east with a Mahavishnu’s patham / foot print is in front of Lord Shiva. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Eventhough Sri Metraleeswarar is the main deity, Rajagopuram, Rishabam and Balipedam are in front of Sri Otha urugeeswarar Shrine.
In the main shrine moolavar is of swayambu, facing west. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Urchavars ie procession deities are Chandrasekar, Vinayagr and Sri Valli Devasena Murugan are in the arthamandapam. In Natarajar Saba, Natarajar is painted and the original idol/ moortham is kept at Kachabesar Temple. Sthalapurana stucco image of Maha Vishnu transform to Shiva Linga, to Thirugnanasambandar’s song is at the entrance mandapa.
In the inner prakaram Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Kasi Viswanathar, Naalvar, Sandikeswarar and Bhairavar.
In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Navagrahas. Balipeedam with Rishabam are in front of Sanctum. Ambal sannadi in this temple was constructed at a latter state, since for all Kanchipuram Shiva Temples Sri Kamakshi Amman is treated as ony one deity. Jyesta Devi’s statue is in the open ground with manthan and mandhi.
During Kachabesar Urchavar Natarajar & Ambal will be brought to this temple and poojas will be conducted in this mandapam.
LEGEND
Maha Vishnu wishes to get a Shivasaroopam ie Shiva Linga idol form. and asked Shiva. Initially Lord Shiva refusd and Maha Vishnu started penance of Lord Shiva. Finally Lord Shiva advised, Maha Vishnu, to go to Kanchipuram and worship his, who is in the for of Swayambu Longa at Metrali. Maha Vishnu came to Kanchipuram worshiped Lord Shiva at Thirukachi Metrali and started penance on Lord Shiva. Thirugnanasambandar, who came came to kanchi, on seeing Mahavishnu’s back side and mistook that is Lord Shiva and sung the padhikam. For the Thirugnanasambandar’s song Vishu got melted with the remains of his foot at the end of his song and Vishnu got the Shiva Linga form. Even-though the Legend says that Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymn and the same is not available. But Saint Sivagnana Swamikal mentions the above legend in Kanchipurana.
27. திரு மேற்றளிப் படலம் (992- 1002)
1000 சம்பந்தர் பாடலால் திருமால் சாரூபம் பெறுதல்
என்ற வாய்மொழி திருச்செவி ஏறலும் எங்கோன்
ஒன்று கூறுத லுற்றனன் உவணமீ துயர்த்தோய்
நன்று தேர்வைவச் சுதமனு வந்தரம் நணுகும்
அன்று நாலிரண் டீற்றுடை இருபதாங் கலியில்
1001 காழி மாநகர்க் கவுணியர் குலத்தொரு காளை
ஏழி சைத்தமிழ் ஞானசம் பந்தெனம் அடியான்
யாழ நீபெற எம்முரு இங்குவந் தளிப்பான்
ஆழி யோயது காறுமிவ் வைரப்பினில் அமர்ந்து. 10
1002 ஈட்ட ருந்தவம் இயற்றுகென் றருளிநீங் குதலும்
கோட்டம் இன்றிமால் அம்முறை வதிந்துபூங் கொன்றைத்
தோட்ட லங்கலாற் றொழப்புகும் முத்தமிழ் விரகர்
பாட்ட லங்கலால் பரஞ்சுடர் திருவுருப் பெற்றான்
Thirugnanasambandar’s sannadhi is at the end of the street. It is believed that Lord Shiva came here and listened to Thirugnanasambandar’s hymns. Hence there is a Sannadhi available on the middle of the street by the name “Utrukketta Muktheswarar”, the details of this temple will be posted separately.
108 Rudras, Seekandar, Veerabadrar, Mandalathipathis, Ikrothar and Pudhan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was built by Pallavas during 7th Century. Old Pallava, Sambuvarayar, Vijayanagara period Tamil inscriptions are found. As per the inscriptions this temple was reconstructed / renovated during Chozha period. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was held on 31-08-2014
As per Annual Reports on South Indian Epigraphy for the year 1921 No. 86-91; year 1923 No. 101-104. The inscriptions belongs to 16th reign year of Raja Narayana Mallinathan, Vijayanagara King Mahamandaleswara Sadasiva Deva Maharayar ( 1484 CE ) and Pallava King Thandivikramavarman. As per the inscriptions this temple was called as Thirumetrali Thirukoil and Lord Shiva was called as Thirumetrali udaya Nayanar.
The Raja narayana mallinathar inscription records the gift of 2 veli Land from the Village Nanthavansutharvilakam of Eyir Kottam.
The Sadasiva Deva maharayar inscriptions records the collection of 5.5 panam for each thari ( a hand weaving M/c ) towards daily worship and burning of Lamps.
Another inscription ARE 1921 SL 89, of DantiVikramavarman period, records that at the request of Kaduvetti Muttaraiyan ( an endowment of ) four patti of land was made to the Palan-tiru-merrali temple with a madam, exempting the taxes as Parikara ( what for..? )
POOJAS AND FESTIVALS
Apart from regular poojas, Panguni Uthiram, Kanda Sashti, Thirugnanasamndar’s Guru pooja and maha Shivaratri are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The temple Archakar Chandramouli may be contacted through mobile numbers 9865355572 and 9994585006
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 2 KM from bus stand. Can be reached through auto.
The temple is about 3 KM from Kanchipuram Railway Station, 33 KM from Arakkonam Junction and 74 KM from Chennai..
Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram and junction is Arakkonam.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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