A Wandering Heritager: Sri Masilamaneeswarar Temple / Masilamaniswara Temple / Maasilamaneeswarar Koil, வடதிருமுல்லைவாயில் ( Vada) Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This place is called as Thirumullaivoyal. Since there are two Thirumullaivoyal and both are Paadal Petra temples. To differentiate this place is called as Vada Thirumullaivoyal. This is the 22^nd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Thondai Nadu. In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar describes how Sundarar arrived to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva. Also in his pathigam. Sundarar mentions that, Lord Shiva who wears Chandran on his jadamudi, made him blind for Sangili Nachiyar.

அங்குநாதர் செய்அருள் அது ஆக   அங்கை கூப்பி ஆரூர் தொழ நினைந்தே
   பொங்கு காதல் மீளா நிலமையினால்  போதுவார் வழிகாட்ட முன்போந்து
   திங்கள் வேணியார் திருமுல்லைவாயில் சென்று இறைஞ்சி நீடிய திருப்பதிகம்
   சங்கிலிக்காக என்கணை மறைத்தீர் என்று சாற்றிய தன்மையில் பாடி

From Thiruvottiyur, as soon Sundarar left for Thiruvarur and crossed the Limit ( place kaladipet is believed the limit of Thiruvottiyur ), he lost his eye sight. He worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple with out seeing Lord Shiva and the Temple. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple and asked Lord Shiva, why he was made to blind... For Sangili Nachiyar...? and requesting Lord Shiva to remove his sorrows.
   திருவும்மெய்ப் பொருளும் செல்வமும் எனக்குண்
   சீருடைக் கழல்கள்என்(று) எண்ணி
   ஒருவரை மதியா(து) உறாமைகள் செய்தும்
   ஊடியும் உறைப்பனாய்த் திரிவேன்
   முருகமர் சோலை சூழ்திரு முல்லை
   வாயிலாய் வாயினால் உன்னைப்
   பரவிடும் அடியேன் படுதுயர் களைவாய்
   பாசுப் தாபரஞ் சுடரே

Moolavar : Sri Masilamaneeswarar, Sri Nirmalamaneeswarar,
                      Sri Pasupatheeswarar.
Consort    : Sri Kodiyidai Amman, Sri Lathamathyambal,
                        Sri Kodiyidai Nayagi.

Some of the features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram on south. At the entrance there is Prasanna Vinayagar sannadhi. East side gate is kept locked. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side
The Vimanam is of Gaja prishta type. Rishabam is facing east since as per Lord Shiva’s instruction Rishabam went to help Thondaiman in the war against Onan and Vaanan. There is a scar on the top of the moolavar and abhishekam is done only for avudayar. Sandal paste is applied on the moolavar and once in a year abhishekam will be done with hot water on Chithirai month Sathya Nakshatra day.

In Koshtam, Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. There are two Vellerukku pillars in front of moolavar Sannadhi, It is believed that these pillars were brought from the fort of two Kurumbas, Onan and Vaanan, after destroying .

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Chozhapureeswarar ( Structure is very old and the temple has no vimanam ), Kusalavapureeswarar, Bhairavar and Suryan. It is believed that all the nine planets are positioned in Coordination and favourable to the Devotees in this temple, so there is no Navagraha Sannidhi. Since Suryan, Bhairavar and Veerabhadra worshiped Lord Shiva to get rid of their sins, no separate pooja is conducted.

Ambal sannadhi is also facing east, but the position is not in usual position of left side of the moolavar. It was learnt that there are three Ambal idols, made by the same sthapathy, the other two are in Thiruvotriyur and Melur near Ponneri. Shiva Temple. ( Kodiyidai Amman, Vadivudai Amman and Thiruvudai Amman). It is believed to be auspicious to have the darshan of all the three Amman on pournami day ( especially full moon day falls on Friday ), in a order, ie Melur Thiruvudai Amman in the morning, Thiruvottiyur Vadivudai Amman in the afternoon and Vada Thirumullaivoyal Kodi Idai Amman in the Evening.

There are Lot of framed Photos in the inner prakaram of both in moolavar and Ambal temples. There is a 16 pillar mandapam similar to Thiruvalangadu. The same is now used for parking vehicles and stay for beggars. ( Our old treasure is being spoiled by miscreants ).

The 15^th Century Arunagirinathar also visited this temple and worshiped Lord Murugan. He has sung 3 Thiruppugazh songs in praise Lord Muruga and also mentions the place as “Vadamullai” and Lord Shiva as “Masilamaniesar”. A portion of the 3 songs are reproduced as given below.
   அணிசெவ்வி யார்திரை சூழ்புவி
       தனநிவ்வி யேகரை யேறிட
       அறிவில்லி யாமடி யேனிட                          ரது சீர
   அருவல்லை யோநெடு நாளின
       முருளில்லி லேயிடு மோவுன
       தருளில்லை யோஇன மானவை                 யறியேனே
   மணமொல்லை யாகி நகாகன
       தனவல்லி மோகன மோடமர்
       மகிழ்தில்லை மாநட மாடின                        ரருள்பால
   மருமல்லி மாவன நீடிய
       பொழில்மெல்லி காவன மாடமை
       வடமுல்லை வாயிலின் மேவிய பெருமாளே
   வாதி னால்வரு காளியை வென்றிடு
       மாதி நாயகர் வீறுத யங்குகை
       வாரி ராசனு மேபணி யுந்திரு                      நடபாதர்
   வாச மாமல ரோனோடு செந்திரு
       மார்பில் வீறிய மாயவ னும்பணி
       மாசிலாமனி யீசர்ம கிழ்ந்தருள்                   பபெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple was existed before 6^th Century ir Thevra period and believed to be reconstructed by Thondaiman after defeating Onan and Vaanan. ( There is a Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Kanchipuram called Onanakanthan thali, in which they built Shiva temple and worshiped there ). There are 23 inscriptions recorded from this temple.

Ko Parthivendran's 13th year reign inscription ( AR 196 of 1904) records that Avur Kootrathu Vilathur Kilzhavan Singala Veeranaranan gifted 90 sheep / Goat for lighting a perpetual Lamp.

Kulothunga Chozhan-III's ( 1201 - 1202 CE ) 24th year reign inscription records the gift of Land at Panchetty as devathanam.. and the inscription is incomplete.

Hariharan-II's ( 1403 CE ) period inscription ( 664 0f 1904 ), records the gift of land by Narayanadevan to conduct the Thirupanguni thiruvizha, Thiru oodal Thiruvizha, and the inscription also incomplete. The same Kings another inscription ( AR 671 of 1904 ), records the gift of vessels weighing 200 edai ( a measurement ). The same Kings another inscription ( AR 675 of 1904 ) records the gift of 400 kuzhi of land for celebrating function by Ambattur people. Another inscription ( AR 678 of 1904 ) records the order of giving Taxes to this temple, since this was discontinued and pooja was stopped.

Sri Rayar Varadhava Devarayan-II ( 1424 CE ) inscriptions ( AR 665 of 1904 ) Otri mannan ( King ) alias Udayar Otri King and Arasu Perumal alias Kadavarayan gave gift of 4000 Kuzhi land for conducting function and function conducted at Angathan mandapam. The land was measured in a scale called "Angatha Kandan Measurement Scale". The inscription also mentions that "Soolakal", was erected for gifted land's limit should receive water from Periya eri and River ( the river here means Cooum ).

Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan-III's 15th year reign ( 1424 CE ) inscription AR 666 of 1904 ), records that both Puzhal Kottathu Nattavar ( Sabhai ) and Eekkattu Nattavar ( Sabhai ), gifted all the taxes collected, which includes the un recovered Taxes to this Thirumullaivoyal Udayar, as Irayili.

Kulothungan-III's ( 1198 CE ), 21st Year reign inscription ( AR 667 of 1904 ), records the gift of 24 cows towards lighting of two perpetual lamps to Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu, Puzhal Kottathu Kanapair Nattu Udayar Thirumullaivoyal Udayar by Puliyur Kottathu Mangadu nattu Koyambedu Sivabhootha Vaanavar Nayakan. The same Kings 39th year reign inscription ( AR 673 of 1904 ) records the gift of Land to this Temple as iraiyili.

Bukka Rayar ( 1406 CE ) period inscription ( AR 668 of 1904 Records the gift of 800 Kuzhi land for Thirupalli ezhuchchi ( early morning pooja ) by Ayyaluppa Kadaiyar.

Uthama Chozha's ( 985 CE ) 14th year reign inscription ( AR 669 of 1904 ) records the bought 9300 Kuzhi land bought from Amabttur maha Sabhai by Kandarathithar's Queen and daughter of Mazhavarayar and 80 Kalanju gold.

Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan-I's 18th year reign (1268- 69 CE ), inscriptions AR 670 of 1904, records the gift of 148 Madai panam by the Thirumullaivoyal Sabhai towards Pooja and maintenance.

Rajarajan-III's period Inscription ( AR 672 of 1904 ) records that Madurantaka Poththappi Chozhan ( 1251 - 1252 CE ) was given the rights of exemption of Taxes and given to this temple. The same kings 16th year reign inscription ( AR 674 of 1904 ) records the Kozhipathagai Maha Sabhai, gift of the proceeds of the selling the land. The same King's 35th year reign inscription ( 1251-1252 CE) ( AR 662 of 1904 ) records the exemption Taxes of the Thirumullaivoyal Village for the naivedyam.

Rajendran-I's 3rd year ( 1014 - 1904 CE ) reign inscription ( Ar 676 of 1904 ) records the construction of a Mandapam by Isakkan Arivalan.

Rajarajan-I's ( 985 - 1014 CE ), 7th year reign inscription ( AR 698 of 1904 ) records the endowment of lighting of a perpetual lamp and through a sale of 4000 kuzhi land to Villipakkam ( now called as Villivakkam ) Vellalan. 3rd year reign inscriptions ( AR 681 of 1904 ) records the endowment of lighting a perpetual lamp by Nagan Velliyen, for the same Thirumullaivoyal Herder received 90 sheep /goats. Another 4th year reign inscription ( AR 682 of 1904 ) records the gift of Precious gems like Emerald, Diamond, Maragatham, pearl to Pasupata Devar and Asthara Devar. Since the inscription is incomplete, the donor's name is not known. Another 3rd year reign inscription ( AR 684 of 1904 ) records the gift of 1200 kuzhi land by Acharapakkam, Thirunalluzhan.

Mallikarjunar ( 1452 CE ) period inscription (AR 680 of 1904 ) records the endowment of Kodi Idai Nayagi Ambal's thirupoora thiruvizha and naivedyam for which a land was donated by Kozhipathagai Sabhai.

LEGENDS
The story of moolavar and the Thondaiman stucco image is above Prasanna Vinayagar Sannadhi. As per the legend Thondaiman, who was ruling Kanchipuram came with his soldiers to Kill Onan and Vaanan, the Kurumbas, who gives frequent troubles to the people like, dacoity, robbery in this area. In the evening when he was travelling in the mullai forest, the creepers were obstructing his elephant’s leg, so Thondaiman tried to cut the creepers. When he cut the creepers, the sword hit the Shiva Linga which was hidden inside the creepers and blood was oozing out. Seeing this he was felt guilty and tried to kill himself. But Lord Shiva gave darshan and blessed him. And further told that even-though, the sword was hitting, Lord Shiva came out pure like “masilamani”, a gem with out any mistakes. ( The same story is being told at the Thirumazhisai Shiva Temple, near Tiruvallur also ).

It is believed that devotees used to pray Lord Shiva and Ambal for Child boon, to remove Marriage obstacles, to get wealth, etc,.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, maha Shivaratri, Chithirai Sathayam Nakshatra day, 10 days Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi ( May- June ), Thirukalyanam / Marriage function Vaikasi Visakam day, Theppotsavam / float festival in Masi ( Feb- march ), Vasantha Urchavam in Aani ( June – July ).

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number is +91 44 2637 6151 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
All the buses from Koyambedu to Avadi and Pattabiram passes through this Place, Thirumullaivoyal. The temple is 1 KM off main road, after famous Pachaiamman Temple.
The temple is 18.4 KM from Koyambedu Bus terminus, 19 KM from Chennai Central and 26 KM from Chennai Airport.
Nearest Railway station is 3.3 KM Thirumullaivoyal and Chennai Central is the Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE