This is the 173rd Thevara Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri and 56th temple of Chozha Nadu. Even though this is one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Temple, this temple is popularly known as Lalithambigai Temple. Thirumeeyachur Ilangkovil is a part of the main temple
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Akkur.
தக்க அந்தணர் மேவும் அப் பதியினில் தான் தோன்றி மாடத்துச்
செக்கவார் சடை அண்ணலைப் பணிந்து இசைச் செந்தமிழ் தொடைபாடி
மிக்க கோயில்கள் பிறவுடன் தொழுதுபோய் மீயச்சூர் பணிந்து ஏத்திப்
பக்கம் பாரிடம் பரவநின்று ஆடுவார் பாம்புர நகர் சேர்ந்தார்
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.பொன்னேர் கொன்றை மாலை புரளும் அகலத்தான்
மின்னேர் சடைகள் உடையான் மீயச் சூரானைத்
தன்னேர் பிறரில் லானைத் தலையால் வணங்குவார்
அந்நேர் இமையோர் உலகம் எய்தற் கரிதன்றே’
மின்னேர் சடைகள் உடையான் மீயச் சூரானைத்
தன்னேர் பிறரில் லானைத் தலையால் வணங்குவார்
அந்நேர் இமையோர் உலகம் எய்தற் கரிதன்றே’
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
ஓகாளக்
காயச்சூர் விட்டுக்கதிசேர வேட்டவர் சூழ்
மீயச்சூர் தண்ணென்னும் வெண்ணெருப்பே” – மாயக்
களங்கோயில் நெஞ்சக் கயவர் மருவா
இளங்கோயில் ஞான இனிப்பே
..... திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar : Sri Meganathar, Sri Muyarchinathar.
Consort : Sri Soundaryanayagi, Sri Lalithambigai.
Some of the salient features of this temple are........
The Temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. A second level 3 tier mini Rajagopuram is in front of Temple complex. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In Koshtam Kshethra bhuvaneswar ( Gangadhara / Alingna Murti – Lord Shiva pacifies ma Parvati’s anger ), Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy with Brahma and Vishnu on both sides, Brahma, Durgai, Chandrasekarar and Rishabaroodar. Dwarapalakas are made of stucco.
The Temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. A second level 3 tier mini Rajagopuram is in front of Temple complex. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In Koshtam Kshethra bhuvaneswar ( Gangadhara / Alingna Murti – Lord Shiva pacifies ma Parvati’s anger ), Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy with Brahma and Vishnu on both sides, Brahma, Durgai, Chandrasekarar and Rishabaroodar. Dwarapalakas are made of stucco.
In prakaram Murtis of Nagalingam, Sekkizhar, Naalvar, Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas- Agni, Appu, Akasa, Vayu and Prithvi, Shiva Lingas worshiped by Indran, Kubera, and Yaman, Bhairavar and Suriyan.
Ambal Lalithambigai is in a separate Temple with sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. Ambal is in sitting posture ( Suhasana) with a provision to wear anklets. This temple is considered as a 1st Sakthi peedam of Sakthi, hence Ambal Lalithambigai is referred as a Adi Parasakthi. It is believed that “Lalitha Sahasranamam” was originated from this Lalithambigai. The temple is on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram. A Vesara Vimana is over the sanctum. Deva koshta murtis are around sanctum sanctorum.
The main sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam. A single tier Gajabrusta Vimana is on the sanctum. In addition to Deva Koshtas, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the giriva koshtam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have bee existed before 7th Century. It is believed that the temple was built by the Ko Chengat Chozha. The original temple was constructed with brick and the same was reconstructed in to a stone temple by Sembiyan Mahadevi, during Rajaraja period. Further extended during Pandya period.
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have bee existed before 7th Century. It is believed that the temple was built by the Ko Chengat Chozha. The original temple was constructed with brick and the same was reconstructed in to a stone temple by Sembiyan Mahadevi, during Rajaraja period. Further extended during Pandya period.
There are 7 inscriptions recorded from this temple. The inscriptions belongs to Chozhas Parakesari, Rajakesari and Pandyas. There is no medieval period inscriptions found. Most of the inscriptions records the endowment of burning perpetual lamps for which gift of lands was made to this temple.
Koparakesarivarman’s 3rd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamps for which 90 sheeps / goats was gifted by Vetkovan Pukazhan MunnooRRuvan of Thirumeeyachur. The same person also donated a land for burning a perpetual lamp.
Parantaka Chozha-I’s 7th reign inscription records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps for the same an uncultivated land was reformed in to a cultivable land and gifted to this temple by Yaazhakan in the name of his sister and mother.
A 15th to 16th Century inscription with out Kings name records the endowment of Parivattam, naivedyam, Vegetable rice, oil for the perpetual lamps, for which a Pooja mandapam, Mathilsala samudram tank ( looks like a sea ) and the farm that contains the trees coconut, mango, jackfruit and iluppai on the 4 banks of the sala Samudram.
Parakesarivarman Prantaka Chozha-Is, 15th reign year inscription records the endowment of Musical instruments like Thimilai and other instruments, by Cholai Sathan, alias KansirukaiParalurudayar.
A 10th to 11th Century fragment inscriptions records the burning of Sandhi lamps for which money of 10 kasu, 20 Kasu are gifted by ladies Perumchelivisani, Umaiyazhvi, Thiruvagastheeswaramudayar
As per Nannilam vattak kalvettukal and SII inscription Volume 8, it was mentioned as Mihiraruneswarar Temple at Thirumeeyachur. It is not known whether Lord Shiva was called by this name also or another Shiva temple exists in the same Village during that period. The inscriptions belongs to Parantaka Chozha-I, Rajakesarivarman, Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan, Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan and Maravarman Srivallaba Pandyan. These inscription mainly records the gift of lands, housing land, Taxes collected, money, to this temple towards pooja, worship, Naivedyam, burning of perpetual lamps, sandhi lamps, etc for both Lord Shiva and Kamakotta Nachiyar shrines ( Ambal ). In one of the Pandya Inscription, it was mentioned that the taxes levied like, pala Pattadai, Thari Irai, Thattar pattam, Chenaikkadai, Vettaikarar Kadai, Kulavaadai, meenpattam, Chekkayam, Vannarkarkasu and Uppuvazhsarikai. The name of the money mentioned was Bhuvanesuveeran kasu.
Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 3rd November 2000 and 08th Feb 2015, after renovations. The temple is under the administrative control of Thirupugalur Velakurichi Adheenam.
LEGENDS
This is the birth place of Garuda, Aruna the Charioteer of Sun, Vali, Sugriva, Yaman, and Shaniswara. They all worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Kali also worshiped Lord Shiva and ma Parvati of this temple.
This is the birth place of Garuda, Aruna the Charioteer of Sun, Vali, Sugriva, Yaman, and Shaniswara. They all worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Kali also worshiped Lord Shiva and ma Parvati of this temple.
Suriyan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to get rid of the curse and got back his power. The sun rays falls on Moolavar on 21st to 27th in the month Chithirai ( April – May ). Special poojas are conducted on these days.
In another legend, ma Parvati got angry on Lord Shiva, when he took the Ganga on his head. Lord Shiva pacified in the form of Alingna murti / Gangavisarsanar in this temple, hence Ambal is called as Shantha Nayagi. It is believed that In the process of Lord Shiva pacifies ma Parvati as Lalithambigai, it is believed that Lalitha Sahasranamam, was emerged from the mouth of Ambal Lalithambigai which started praising Ambal with 1000 names. This legend is beautifully sculpted in the form an idol installed in one of the koshtam.
In another legend, Lord Hayagreeva one of the disciple of Ambal Lalithambigai, conveyed the significance of “Lalitha Sahasranamam” to the sage Agasthiyar. Agasthiyar came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva and Ambal Lalithambigai. Ambal granted the darshan in the form of “Navaratna” – nine precious stones. The sage Agathiyar has sung hymns “Navaratna Malai” and “Rahasyanamasahasram”.
There is an interesting incident happened during the year 1999. Ma Lalithambigai, wants to wear anklet and told in the dream of a Bangalore devotee. Since She didn’t know the exact temple, she went many temples. Finally She came to this temple. Initially, the priest and the temple authorities were reluctant to see the provision. After her continuous persuasion, the temple authorities found out holes to provide anglet, which was blocked due to so many year’s of abhishekam materials and oil. Latter it was found a hole in the nose to adorn the nose wear too. Devotees now offering kolusu to Ambal Lalithambigai.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on all the important hindu festivals. Anna Paavadai is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple on Vijayadasami day in Navaratri festival, Ashtami day in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Full moon day in the month Vaikasi.
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on all the important hindu festivals. Anna Paavadai is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple on Vijayadasami day in Navaratri festival, Ashtami day in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Full moon day in the month Vaikasi.
Ratha Saptami is celebrated in a grand manner. Ratha Saptami is the starting of Uttarayanam, in which the Sun travels from North to south during the period Thai ( Jan – Feb ) month to Aani ( June – July ).
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :
The Land Line and mobile numbers +91 4366 239170 & 9444836526 may be contacted for further Details.
The Land Line and mobile numbers +91 4366 239170 & 9444836526 may be contacted for further Details.
HOW TO REACH :
This place Thirumeeyachur is on the way from Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur ( Via Peralam ), from there 2 KM.
The place Thirumeeyachur is 2 KM before Peralam. 18 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 26 KM from Thiruvarur, 27 KM from Karaikal, 33 KM from Kumbakonam and 275 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Peralam and Junction is Mayiladuthurai.
This place Thirumeeyachur is on the way from Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur ( Via Peralam ), from there 2 KM.
The place Thirumeeyachur is 2 KM before Peralam. 18 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 26 KM from Thiruvarur, 27 KM from Karaikal, 33 KM from Kumbakonam and 275 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Peralam and Junction is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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