The Visit to this Sri Pachai Amman Temple at Munugapattu, was a part of “Pallava period Shiva, Amman and Jain Temples Visit” in Tiruvannamalai and Ranipet Districts on 3rd September 2023. Thanks to Mrs Radhabalan, of Kanchipuram for taking me to these temples. This Temple on the south side bank of River Cheyyar.
Moolavar : Sri Mannarswamy
Consort : Sri Pachaiamman
Some of the salient features of this temple are…..
The Vazhmuni and Semmuni sannadhis are in front of the Temple facing north, on the other side of the main road. Both Vazhmuni and Semmuni are in stucco images of big in size.
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The temple is facing East with an entrance arch. Stucco image of Pachai Amman is on the entrance arch. Veeraiyan & Veerayi images are in-front of the 3 tier Rajagopuram with a mandapam, built with brick and lime mortar. Sri Mannar Swamy with a rishabam in front, Pachai Amman and Utsavars sannidhis are in a row facing East. Shiva as Mannar Swamy is in sitting posture on the left side Sanctum of Pachai Amman with Rishabam in front. The Main idol is of Stucco in green colour and a stone idol is in-front. Pachai Amman is in sitting posture with 4 hands. Upper hands are holding Pasa and Angusam, the lower hands are holding bowl and a Pirambu / cane.
In Praharam, Stucco images of Munis, in different posture are lined up on the east side, Elephant, Horse, Rishabam are on the right side, Nagars and Navagrahas.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple maintains its old Brick Rajagopuram structure on East and North sides. The Stucco images of Vazhmuni and Semmuni, and different munis are in the praharam.
The temple complex consists of a Shrine for Mannar Swami and Sri Pachai Amman. These two sannidhis and a Utsav murtis shrines are reconstructed during recent years with stone.
The Main sanctum sanctorum of Pachai Amman Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antara, ardha mandapam / maha mandapam and a common recently built concrete open mandapam. The Ceiling of the open mandapa is painted with the sthala purana.
The sanctum sanctorum is on a Upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai. Brahmakantha pilasters are shown with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palaka and pushpa pothyal. The Prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Bhumidesam. A Two tier Vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Amman’s various forms are in the Tala and greeva koshtams. The Temple from adhistanam to prastaram was built with stone and the super structure above prastaram was built with brick and cement mortar.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple may be of 300 to 400 years old. The sanctum was re built during recent years.
LEGENDS
Here the Pachai Amman is considered as the incarnation of ma Parvati and Shiva is with Human face as Mannar Swamy. As per the Legend, when Shiva and Parvati are at Kailash, Bhrigu Muni came to worship Shiva. Since Shiva and Parvati are sitting together, Bhrigu Muni took a form of beetle, Circumambulate Shiva alone, flying through the gap between Shiva and Parvati. On seeing this ma Parvati, felt that she was insulted by Bhrigu Muni without worshipping her. When She asked Shiva, to give left side of his body to her, Shiva didn’t gave a proper reply. Ma Parvati knows that Shiva will grant her wish if She do a severe penance. So ma Parvati came to this earth and selected this place to do the penance. She sent her son Vinayagar to get some water to do pooja. He went to the hill, found Muniwar was in thapas with a kamandala full of water. Vinayagar took it and made to run as Kamandala River. Then She sent Muruga to get water. Muruga made a river to flow through his spear / Vel, called as Sei+River ( Sei- Son ), which has got corrupted to the present name of Cheyyar. In the mean time Ma Parvati had made to flow a river Pirambaga Nadhi with her Pirambu. All the three rivers joined together in this place called Mukkoottu and Shiva is called as Mukkoottu Shiva. The place has got corrupted to Munugapattu.
Ma Parvati made a Shiva Linga with sand and did abhishekam with the mukkoottu river water. Then she started her penance after creating a Pandal using plantain trees ( Hence this place is called as Valappandal ). Some asuras tried to disturb her penance. Shiva as Vazhlmuni and Maha Vishnu as Semmuni Guard her for completing her penance. Satisfied with ma Parvati’s Penance Shiva asked her to come to Thiruvannamalai where Shiva gave her the left part of his body and the form is called as Ardhanareeswara.
The legend of Pachaiamman… After coming to the earth ma Parvati didn’t got water immediately. Due to this her body has become hot and red in colour due to anger. After getting water through his sons Vinayagar and Murugan. Then ma Parvati started her penance in calm and her body turned to green.
The people of this region worships Pachai Amman as their Kula Deivam.
Since Shiva was made out of mud ie மண், Shiva was called as Man Lingeswarar, Man Swamy and the same has got corrupted to Mannar Swamy. Even though this temple is popularly known as Pachai Amman Temple, Shiva as Mannar Swamy is prime deity of this temple. The three specialities of this temple are, ma Parvati did penance under plantain tree pandal, Shiva is in human form and Shiva and maha Vishnu as Guardian / Dwarapalakas.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart form regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Amavasya Days, Aadi month, Fridays, etc. Annual festival will be celebrated during August. Pachai Kungumam is offered at the Sanctum.
Devotees used to do tonsuring their heads for the wishes fulfilled and do pooja to the vehicles.
Nagars and cradles
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 14.00 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The temple land line number +91 4182 244441, may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This temple is 12 KM from Arani, 24 KM from Cheyyar, 38 KM from Arcot, 54 KM from Kanchipuram, 53 KM from Vellore, 74 KM from Tiruvannamalai and 145 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Veeraiyan & Veerayi ( Believed to be Hero Stones )
All Green - to signify Pachaiamman
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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