This is the 224th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 107th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha nadu. This place is now called as Kovilur. Since there are lot of places named as Kovilur, to differentiate, the place Muthupettai /Muthupet is added and called as Muthupettai Kovilur.
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord shiva of Idumbavanam.
திருஉசாத் தானத்துத் தேவர்பிரான் கழல்பணிந்துமருவியசெந் தமிழ்ப்பதிக மலர்போற்ரும் படிபாடிஇருவினையும் பற்றுஅறுப்பார் எண்இறந்த தொண்டருடன் பெருகுவிருப்பினர் ஆகிப் பிற்பதியும் பணிந்து அருள்வார்
Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
நீரிடைத் துயின்றவன் தம்பிநீள் சாம்புவான்போருடைச் சுக்கிரீவன்அநு மான்தொழக்காருடை நஞ்சுண்டு காத்தருள செய்தஎம்சீருடைச் சேடர்வாழ் திருவுசாத் தானமே……….. திருஞானசம்பந்தர் -“கற்றவர்கள்எங்குமு சாத்தானம் இருங்கழக மன்றமுதல்தங்கும் உசாத்தானத் தனிமுதலே”----- திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Mandhirapurieswarar Consort : Sri Birukantha Nayagi, Sri Periya Nayagi.
Some of the salient features of this temple are…The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A Temple tank is in front. A Vinayagar sannathi is on the banks of temple tank. The second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are before the second level Rajagopuram. Moolavar is of swayambhu, ruff and white in colour on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Dwarapalakas and Sanga Nidhi and Padmanidhi are at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum.
In prakaram Suriyan, 63var, Jurahareswarar with three heads and 3 legs, Katchikodutha Nayagar with Ambal, Saptamatrikas, Saptha kannis, Veerabhadra, Kali, Kasi Viswanathar, Suthavana Vinayagar, Somaskandar, Varunan worshiped Linga, Ramar and Shiva Linga worshiped by him, Markandeyar and worshiped Lingas, Annapoorani, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathy, Navakannis, Shaniswaran, Bhairavar, Chandran and Natarajar Sabha. Sthala purana is painted on the walls of the prakara.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. Ambal is in a separate temple with Kodimaram, balipeedam and Rishabam. .
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century. The same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period and further extended and maintained by Nayaks and Nattukottai Nagarathars.
The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Chozha Kings Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga Chozha-III, Rajendra Chozha-III and Pandya King Sundara Pandya. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as “Thiruvusathanamudaya Nayanar” and Ambal was called as “Periya Nachiyar”.
Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 25th reign year inscription at Thanjavur Rajarajecharam, records this place Purakarambai Nattu Koyilur Puthukudi alias Kothandarama Chathurvedi Mangalam”.... Lord Shiva was called as “Thiruvuchathanamudaya Nayanar” and “Thiruvuchathanamudayar”.
Ambal was called as “Periya Nachiyar”. The same was mentioned in the Rajaraja-III’s 20th reign year inscription, which mentions as “Thirukamakottamudaya Periya Nachiyar”. In that Pillaipurosaikudayar, mentioned was the son of Rajaraja-III. One part of the temple thirupani was done by Ezhupathonpathu nattupathinen bhumikarar alias Karpaga Pillayar and Andar Prasanna devar.
Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Rajaraja-III’s 30th reign year inscription records the establishment of Subramaniya Pillaiyar ( Murugan ) by Kanrappoorudayar in the western prakara. The same Kings 8th reign year inscription records Pallavaneeswarar was established by Payyurnattu Payyuzhan Pichan Pallavarayan alias Chozhiya Pallavarayan on the western prakara.
Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Rajaraja-III’s 30th reign year inscription records the establishment of Subramaniya Pillaiyar ( Murugan ) by Kanrappoorudayar in the western prakara. The same Kings 8th reign year inscription records Pallavaneeswarar was established by Payyurnattu Payyuzhan Pichan Pallavarayan alias Chozhiya Pallavarayan on the western prakara.
Rajendra Chozha’s period inscription records the establishment of Bhuvanapathi Nachiyar by Kalarikuddayan Ponnambalakoothan alias Irumudi Chozha Pallavarayan and Thirugnanam petra pillayar was established by Mummudi Chozhapura Merchant Chembagudayan Thiruchitrambalam Udayan Koothaadunayanar.
Rajendra Chozha’s 11th reign year inscription records the celebration of Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi month.
The inscriptions mainly speaks about Lands and Farms gifted to this temple as Irayili. As per the records and Sthala purana of this temple, the temple had 1018 acre punjai land, Coconut farms, 36 Kapaditusts ( ..?) and 229 housing plots. In additions to this Silvar kavasas, Gold and Silver ornaments / jewellery, gifted by Nagarathars. The Girl’s School, Periyanayagi Secondary School is being run by this temple.
LEGENDSIt is believed that Hanuman, Markandeyar, Gauthamar, Indran, Viswamithirar, Ramar, Lakshmana, Jambavan and Sugreeva.
Lord Shiva gave dance darshan to Viswamithirar. Rama worshiped Lord Shiva, before constructing the Sethu bridge to Sri Lanka. So Lord Shiva preached a mantra to Sri Ramar for constructing the bridge to Sri Lanka. Hence Lord Shiva of this temple is praised as Mandhirapurieswarar. Since Rama had got the details of constructing the Sethu bridge – Usavia ( கேட்டறிந்த ), this place was called as “Usathanam” latter it has become “Thiruvusathanam”. In support of this legend, the places Raman Koil, Jambavan odai, Hanuman Kadu, Sugreevan pettai, Thambikkunallan Pattinam are around this temple.
Since Lord Shiva is under a “Suthavanam” and Vinayagar is holding a mango leaf.
There is a Shiva Linga in the prahara. A wall was raised around the Shiva Linga, which formed like a pit with a capacity to hold 3000 litres of water. It is believed that water will be filled above the Shiva Linga to get rain. This is being practiced even in the present days.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on all Fridays, Monthly Karthigai days, monthly Pradosham, Chithira Brahmotsavam on Pournami day in the month Chithirai ( April – May ), Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( May – June ), Aadi pooram Amman Purapadu in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chathurthi and Avani soolam in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Masi Maham and Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ).
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS The mobile and Land line numbers +91 99420 39494 and +91 4369 262 014 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH 3 KM from Muthupet(tai) after crossing national hi-way.Buses are available from Mannargudi, Thiruthuraipoondi, Vedaranyam and Pattukottai to Muthupettai.The temple is 3 KM from Muthupettai, 23 KM from Pattukottai, 24 KM from Thiruthuraipoondi, 36 KM from Mannargudi, 57 KM from Thiruvarur, 71 K M from Thanjavur, 72 KM from Kumbakonam, and 412 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway Station is Thiruthuraipoondi and Pattukottai. ( Muthupet / Muthupettai is a small station )
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
இருவினையும் பற்றுஅறுப்பார் எண்இறந்த தொண்டருடன்
Moolavar : Sri Mandhirapurieswarar
Ambal was called as “Periya Nachiyar”. The same was mentioned in the Rajaraja-III’s 20th reign year inscription, which mentions as “Thirukamakottamudaya Periya Nachiyar”. In that Pillaipurosaikudayar, mentioned was the son of Rajaraja-III. One part of the temple thirupani was done by Ezhupathonpathu nattupathinen bhumikarar alias Karpaga Pillayar and Andar Prasanna devar.
Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Rajaraja-III’s 30th reign year inscription records the establishment of Subramaniya Pillaiyar ( Murugan ) by Kanrappoorudayar in the western prakara. The same Kings 8th reign year inscription records Pallavaneeswarar was established by Payyurnattu Payyuzhan Pichan Pallavarayan alias Chozhiya Pallavarayan on the western prakara.
There is a Shiva Linga in the prahara. A wall was raised around the Shiva Linga, which formed like a pit with a capacity to hold 3000 litres of water. It is believed that water will be filled above the Shiva Linga to get rain. This is being practiced even in the present days.
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