Mullaivananathar Temple, Thirumullaivasal – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva and Parvathy. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the entrance arch, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Dvarapalas made of stuccos can be seen at the entrance of the antrala.
Presiding Deity is called as Mullaivananathar / Yuthika Parameswarar / Masilamaneeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Lingam is about 3.5 feet tall. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The sword cut scar on the head of the Linga is still visible. Only Dakshinamoorthy can be seen in the koshta. All the other koshtas are empty. The idol of Dakshinamoorthy is big and intricately carved.
He is accompanied by the four Sanakatha sages Mother is called as Anikonda Kothaiyammai / Sathyanantha Soundari. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum in maha mandapam. As Lord Shiva imparted the Panchakshara Mantra to the Mother in this place, Lord is considered Guru here. Hence, there is no Palli Arai in this temple.
Shrines and Idols of Vara Sakthi Vinayagar, Shanmuka Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Nalvar, Bhairavar, Mahalakshmi, Bikshadana, Durga, Thirugnana Sambandar, Karpaga Vinayagar, Vishnu, Kshetra Lingam, Balasubramanya, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan and Lingams can be seen in the temple premises.
There are stone panels carved with reliefs depicting the Sthala Puranam in the prakaram. Theerthams associated with this temple are Vishnu Theertham, Chandra Theertham, Brahma Theertham and Ganga Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Mullai (Jasmine). The creeper is seen entwined around Kiluvai tree. Inscriptions from the Vijayanagara and the Maratha period are found in this temple.
