Manunadeeswarar Temple, Maruthavancheri, Thiruvarur
Manunadeeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Maruthavancheri Village near Koothanur in Thiruvarur
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Manunadeeswarar and Mother
is called as Manicka Shivakamasundari.
Legends
Emperor Manu after visiting Thiruveezhimizhalai visited
this place and set up a meditation center and performed severe penance. The
place was originally called Manu Thavanjer. The lingam installed by him is
Manunadeeswarar. When he went about donating land and houses to 100 Brahmins he
fell short by two. Lords Vishnu and Shiva came as Brahmins, received the
donations and blessed him.
History
The temple is mentioned in a literature called
Thejineevana Mahatmiyam.
The
Temple
This is an old west facing temple. Presiding Deity is
called as Manunadeeswarar and is facing west. Mother is called as Manicka
Shivakama Sundari and is facing south. There is a large temple tank to the
north of the temple. Shrines for Jayadurga, Saneeswara, Bhairava, Surya,
Chandikeswara, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Ganapathi and Balasubramanya can also be
found in the prakaram. Theertham of this Temple is Manu Theertham and Sthala
Vriksham is Pavizhamalli (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis). The temple has been
recently renovated and nicely maintained.
Connectivity
Manunadeeswarar Temple is located at about 4.5
kilometers before Koothanur when you go from Kumbakonam. Take a right to reach
the temple. Maruthavancheri is located at about 4 Kms from Koothanur, 5 Kms
from Poonthottam, 24 Kms from Thiruvarur, 32 Kms from Kumbakonam, 8 Kms from
Peralam and 126 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Poonthottam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
