Friday, September 15, 2017

Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivayil – The Temple

Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivayil – The Temple
This temple occupies an area of about 1 acre with two prakarams. There is a grand tower on the southern entrance to the temple. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Even though there is another entrance in the east and it is closed, the southern entrance only is used to enter the temple. There is a 16 pillar mandapam in front of the south tower. You will see the Prasanna Vinayakar shrine once you enter though the south tower. Stucco Images depicting the story of Moolavar and the Thondaiman can be seen above Prasanna Vinayagar Sannadhi.







Through an entrance in the south outer corridor, one can enter the inner prakaram where the sanctum sanctorum of both the Lord and his consort are located. Once we enter through the second south entrance, first we will see the shrine of Kodiyidaiamman on the left. The goddess is facing east. Situated next to the Goddess shrine is the shrine for Lord Masilamani Easwarar who is also facing east in the form of a Shivalingam. Both the male and female presiding deities are facing east and the female deity's shrine is situated to the right of presiding male deity. This is considered very significant.






Presiding Deity is Swayambu Moorthy called as Masilamani Easwarar / Nirmalamaneeswarar / Pasupatheeswarar. There is a scar on the head of the Swayambulinga in the temple. As if to heal the wound, sandal paste is applied on the Linga throughout the year except two days in the month of Chithirai (April-May) covering the Sadayam star day. Lord appears in his true form these days. Worshipping Lord Shiva in this form during these days would relieve the devotee of all sins, it is firmly believed. This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.






As no abishek is performed to the Linga, A Padarasa Linga (Mercury Linga) is placed in a separate shrine for Pujas. Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are the Koshta idols surrounding the sanctum. At the entrance of Masilamaniswara, Dwara Palakas idols look beautiful and magnificent. Vishnu is found along with his consorts near Dwarapalakas. The idol of the king Thondai Mandala Raja is also found in the same place. There is a shrine for Nataraja with Sivakami.






The corridor of Masilamaniswara has a lot of idols such as Ganesha, Murugan, Lakshmi, many Shiv Lingas, Nagas, 63 Nayanmars, Bhairava, Surya, Veerabhadra, and Arunagirinathar. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil). The vimana (roof) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture It is built on a circular base and is known as Thoonganai Maadam in Tamil (thoong (um) - sleeping, Aanai - elephant, maadam - top of a building (or temple)) or simply, 'a building that looks like the rear of a sleeping elephant'. In Sanskrit, this style is called as Gaja Brushtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, Brushtam - rear).






Vinayaka of the temple is revered as Valampuri Vinayaka. Elements of Pallava architecture are seen in this temple as in the lion pillars in the Vinayakar shrine. There are shrines for Cholapureesvarar, Kuchalapureeswar worshipped by Lava and Kucha, sons of Lord Sri Rama) and Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the corridor-prakara. There are shrines to Rishabantikadevar, Natarajar and Bhikshatana here. Sthala Vriksham is Jasmine. The Nandhi, bull vehicle of Lord Shiva accompanied a king in his war against demons. Hence, the Nandhi is not facing the Lord, but looking at the opposite direction. As Lord is all dominant in the temple, there is no shrine for Navagrahas the nine planets.






Mother is called as Lathamathyambal / Kodi Idai Nayaki - She who has a waist as slender as the Jasmine climber. She is considered to be a very powerful deity and is known to bestow her gracious blessings for newly weds, unwed girls for speedy marriage and for a happy wedded life. Kodiyidai Amman is one of the Tri-Shakti. Kodiyidai Amman represents Kriya Shakti (Power of Activity). The other two temples are Melur Tiruvudai Amman Temple representing Icha Shakti (Power of Will). Thiruvottriyur Vadivudai Amman Temple representing Jnana Shakti (Power of Knowledge). It is believed that if the three Great Goddesses were visited and worshipped on the same day of Chitra Pournami - the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai.






The positions of the deities - Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi (Kodiyidai Amman) is also found to be interchanged as against what is usually found in Shiva temples. It is believed to be so because the Lord and his Consort were in hurry to give 'darshan' (holy appearance) to the King. With the Lord's blessings and Nandi's support, the King did win over the battle and proceeded to his capital. As a memoir of the victory, he seized a very prized possession of the Kurumbars -- two pillars made of the tree trunk of 'Vellerukku' (white Crown flower - Calotropis gigantea). These pillars can be seen even today placed on both sides, decorating the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord. These pillars are 11 ft. high and have a perimeter of about 2.5 ft.






Inscriptions from the period of Utthama Chola, speaking of Sembian Mahadevi's in 10th century endowments to this temple are seen in this temple. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung about the Murugar of this temple in his "Thiruppugazh". Lord Muruga is seen here with one face and four hands along with his two consorts Valli and Deivanai. Lord Muruga's shrine is located in the outer north prakaram. He is facing east. The shrine for Bhairavar is located in the outer east prakaram.






The flag post, palipeedam and Nandhi mandapam are also located in the outer east prakaram. There is a 16 pillar mandapam similar to Thiruvalangadu. Shrines and idols of lords Prasanna Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Bitchadanar, Mahavishnu with Sridevi and Boodevi, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Vishnu, Durgai, Bairavar, can be seen in the corridors. Idols of Nalvar, King Thondaiman and Neelakanda Shivacharyas can also be seen in the corridors. Kalyana Theertham, Agni Theertham, Subramanya Theertham and river Palaru are the Theerthams associated with the Temple. The temple tank is found outside the temple.