This is the 79th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 25th Sthalam on the north side of River Kaveri. Now this place is called as Keezhai Thirumanancheri or Thirumanancheri. Since Even-though these two Villages are with the same name, this one is called as Thirumanancheri and the other one is called as Keelai Thirumanancheri, which is not so popular. This is considered as Nithya Kalyana Kshethram.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar mentions that Thirugnanasambandar, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Anniyur, Thirukurukkai and Thiru Pandanallur Temples, came to this place.
அப்பதி போற்றி அகல்வார் அரனார் திருமணஞ்சேரிசெப்பஅரும் சீர்தொண்ட ரோடும் சென்று தொழுது இசைபாடிஎப்பொருளும் தரும் ஈசர் எதிர்கொள் பாடிப் பதி எய்திஒப்புஇல் பதிகங்கள் பாடி ஓங்கு வேள்விக்குடி
Thirugnanasambandar, Appar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
அயிலாரும் அம்பத னால்புர மூன்றெய்துகுயிலாரு மென்மொழி யாள் ஒரு கூறாகிமயிலாரு மல்கிய சோலை மணஞ்சேரிப்பயில்வானைப் பற்றிநின் றார்க்கில்லை பாவமே....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் --“ நண்ணுவணஞ் சேரிறைவன் மகிழ்ந்து வணங்கும்மணஞ்சேரி நீங்கா மகிழ்வே........ திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Uthvaka Nathaswamy, Sri Arulvallanatha Swamy Sri KalyanaSundareswararConsort : Sri Kohilambal
Some of the important features of this temple are....The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are between, first level and 2nd level Rajagopurams. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. In koshtam, Pichadanar, Balaganapathy, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Ragu, Durgai, Gangavisarjanar. Ambal as Kohilambigai is in a separate sannadhi, small in size.
In prakaram Nalvar, Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi, Kalabhairavar, Shaniswarar, Raghu ( is seen with human form with ornaments and ear rings ), Nalvar, Suryan, Mahavishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Bharatha Maharishi, Queen Chembiyan Mahadevi, Natarajar, Pachiappa Nayagi, Pachiappa Nathar and Mallappa Nayakar.
Ambal as a bride to be watched in Stucco and Urchavar - young and beautiful shy smile on her face ( naanam.) with head facing down.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThere were about 11 inscriptions recorded from this temple. The earliest inscription inscribed on the sanctum Sanctorum wall, belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1198 CE ). From this inscription and the iconography of sculptures the temple might have been reconstructed during 12th Century. Most of the inscriptions records the endowment of regular poojas, naivedyam, burning of Perpetual lamps, feeding from thabasis, Sanyasis and celebrating functions. For the same Goats, sheep, Gold, money, Lands are donated to this temple. Some inscription throw light on the water management like maintenance of Tanks, yeri, kanmai, channels, etc,. Some inscriptions records the sale of Land by the temple authorities for the Maintenance of the temple. Chembiayan Mahadevi, wife of Kandraditha Chozha renovated the temple may be reconstructed with Stone.
Kulothunga-III’s ( 1198CE ) inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam of 2 nazhi rice and burning a perpetual lamp to Kshethrapala Pillayar for which 500 kasu was deposited in the treasury, by one Thevaradiyar Thillaivanamudayal Madhavalli.
During 13th Century Subramaniya Pillayar was installed by Siruthondan and for the maintenance of mandapa 500 Kasu. The Temple authorities agreed for the 2 nazhi rice Naivedyam, and a Sandhi Lamp.
Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan’s ( 1311CE ) 16th year reign inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Veerapandya nallur Sri Vallan Somanathadevan for which a land was gifted to this temple.
Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimai Kondan ( Sundara Pandyan )’s 14th year reign inscription records the reduction of land taxes by half, for the Veerakudi Nattar. His donations to this temple are recorded in the Cheppedu also.
The 14th Century Hoysala King Veeraramanathan’s 16th year reign inscription records the donation of Land at Neyveli by 8 Kudi Araiyars. The same land was sold by the temple authorities to some body and it came back to the temple once again.
From inscriptions on the Amman Temple, The Amman temple was constructed during 16th Century by Arasa Kanda Raman and during 17th Century the same was renovated during Chokkanatha Thanda Nayaka.
A 17th Century inscription records that A madam was built at Chidambaram by 4 Nattavars. A Kalathi Nayanar was installed in the Madam, An amount of 50 was required for 6 months to maintain the madam/ mutt. It was decided to give ½ of the land hold by the Veerakudi nadu to this mutt. The taxes for the land was paid by the mutt.
Rajagopuram was built during Mallappa Nayak’s period. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22nd January 1970, 15th September 1986, after carried out the maintenance jobs.
LEGENDSSTHALA PURANA - Thiruvilayadal PuranamThe sthala purana is based on the 64 Thiruvilayadal Puranam of Lord Shiva of Madurai. As Per sthala Purana, a Merchant of Poompuhar lived with his wife. After a long year due to the grace of Lord Shiva, they had a female Child. He wishes to give his daughter to marry his sister’s son at Madurai and he told this to everybody in the village and neighbours. When she attained the marriageable age the Merchant died suddenly after brief illness and his wife took sati. Their daughter has become orphan and the neighbours arrange for the last rites and sent a message to the Merchants sister, son ie son – in-law at Madurai.
The Merchant’s son in-law, who was married already, on hearing his uncle and aunt’s death, came to Poompuhar with his relatives. He took the Merchant’s daughter along with the wealth to Madurai. When his relatives were travelling in front, the Merchant’s son in-law and his daughter followed. They stayed that night in a temple with a Shiva Linga, under a Vanni Tree and a Well in the midst of a forest. When they were in sleep a snake bit the Merchants Son in-law and died. She cried and prayed Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva in the form of an old man appeared and with the ash from the madapalli and the holy water was sprinkled on the Merchants Son in-law and he came alive. When they were asked to marry, they hesitated to marry without the presence of their relatives. The Old man persuaded both and they got married in presence of the Shiva Linga, Vanni Tree, well and the Old man considering him as friends, relatives and neighbours.
கன்னியை யீன்ற ஞான்றே யுனைக் கென்றுன் காதன் மாமன்உன்னிய துறவினுள்ளார் அறிவரே யுனக்கீதன்றிவன்னியும் கிணறு மிந்தலிங்கமும் தறுகன் மைந்தாஇந்திவை வதுவை செய்தியெம் முறை கடவா தென்றார்.... திருவிளையாடல் புராணம் ( வ.சோதி உரையாசிரியர் )
After they reached, Madurai they had a child also. There was a conflict and quarrel between Merchants Son in-law’s elder wife and the younger wife erupted. This case was posted in the Village sabha and asked the younger wife to prove that their marriage as legal one. She told that the witness are the Vanni Tee, The well and the old man. The sabha laughed at her and posted the case to the next day. On that Night, Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and told that Vanni Tree and the Well will come and stay near the Compound wall of Sri Meenakshi Temple, as a witness. After seeing the Witness the Village sabha, praised for her for Bhakthi towards Lord Shiva. The Merchant’s son in-law with his wives and children lived happily. Even now there is no well and Sthala Vruksham in this temple, since they went to Madurai as witness. It is believed that Lord Shiva’s 64th Thiruvilayadal was happened at this place.
It is believed that poisonous snakes will not be there for a distance of Conch sound can be heard around this temple. If a person was bitten of by snakes, drinking water 3 times from the Temple tank will get cured. People prays Lord Shiva and Ambal consecutively for 3 weeks, the obstacles in the marriage will be removed.
As per the legend, ma Parvati wishes to marry Shiva once again. So as her wish Ma Parvati was born as a Cow along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Indrani and others roamed in this area. Maha Vishnu took the form of herder took care of them. Ma parvati worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of Cow. Lord Shiva pleased by Ma Parvati’s milk abhishekam and hoops affectionate touch. So, Lord Shiva made her to appear as a child from the Kameshti yagna conducted by Bharatha Maharishi. She was brought up by the Maharishi at Ethirkolpadi and Lord Shiva married her at this place Thirumanancheri.
There is a saying that, ma Parvati was cursed to born as cow at Therazhundur, roamed as cow in Aswatha forest, at Komal Maha Vishnu took care of her as herder, at Thirukozhamam, Lord Shiva was pleased by the hoofs affectionate touch, at Thiruvaduthurai mukthi was given to the cow form, at Kuthalam ma Parvati appeared as a child from the yagna conducted by Bharatha maharishi, at Thiruvelvikudi ma Parvati had the sacred marriage bath with gangana tharanam, at Kurumulaipal, paalikai sthabana was done, at Ethirkolpadi ma Parvati met Lord Shiva and at Thirumanancheri Lord Shiva married ma Parvati. This is a Rahu graha dosha parihara sthalam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSEvery Month, on new moon days Amavasai special poojas are conducted for Raghu in the morning hours. This pooja is done for Child boon – Santhana Prapthi. Rahu here is in human form wearing ornaments. This is a Rahu dosha Parihara sthalam.
Devotees with marriage obstacles Pray Lord Shiva and Ambal with two garlands. The same will be given back to them. After marriage they should bring the garlands and perform pooja at this temple.
Apart from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on 3 days wedding festival of Lord Shiva and Parvati on Poosam Star day in Chithirai ( April- May ), Aadi pooram in Tamil month Aadi ( July – August ), Thirukarthigai in Tamil Month Karthigai ( Nov- Dec), Thiruvathirai in Margazhi ( Dec- Jan ), Maha Shivaratri in Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradosham.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSThe temple office phone numbers +91 4364 23500, 4364 230661 and 235002 may be contacted for further details.The Land line number +914322 221084 may be contacted for further details.Email-ID : pudukkottaithirukovilgal@gmail.comTemple web site
HOW TO REACH :Town bus is available from Mayiladuthurai to Thirumanancheri Via Kuthalam. This place is on the bus route Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam via Kuthalam. Get down at Kuthalam, take diversion to Pandanallur. After crossing Anjar Varthalai Village ask for Thirumanancheri.The Thirumanancheri is about 17 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 30 KM from Kumbakonam, 34 KM from Sirkazhi, 58 KM from Chidambaram and 272 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
It is believed that poisonous snakes will not be there for a distance of Conch sound can be heard around this temple. If a person was bitten of by snakes, drinking water 3 times from the Temple tank will get cured. People prays Lord Shiva and Ambal consecutively for 3 weeks, the obstacles in the marriage will be removed.
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