Friday, September 1, 2017

Mehanadhar Temple (Lalithambigai Temple), Tirumeeyachur – The Temple

Mehanadhar Temple (Lalithambigai Temple), Tirumeeyachur – The Temple
Presiding deity is called as Thirumeni Nathar / Meganathar / Muyarchi Natheswarar / Migura Aruneswarar. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in the temple. Sun worships the Lord with his rays falling on the Lord from 21st to 27th of Chittirai. Lord Meganatha in this temple is under the Gajabrushta Vimana designed as the back part of an elephant. There are three Kalasas on the Vimana. Presiding deity is facing east. 








Mother is called as Maha Lalitha Thiripurasundari / Soundara Nayaki / Shanta Nayaki / Lalithambika. Mother Shrine has got a 5-tiered Rajagopuram. The imposing five feet idol of Sri Lalithambika is installed over Sri Chakra in the sanctum sanctorum majestically as an empress. The deity is seated resting her folded right leg on the seat. Her left leg is in Sukhasana posture. She is said to be in Manonmani Swaroopam and hence is also known as Shanta Nayaki.








Asthabhujanga Durga shrine in the outer praharam is of special significance. As Mother Meenakshi in Madurai and Sri Andal in Srivilliputtur, Mother Durga in this Meeyachur temple is holding a parrot.  Durga with a parrot is rare in temples. Durga in Trishula Nathar temple in Chennai Tirishulam and in Chinnamanur Manickavasagar Temple in Theni district have this feature. Mother Durga with 8 hands in Tirumeeyachur temple is praised as Sukha Brahmma Durga Devi. 







Probably, this name ought to have been derived after the name of Sukha Brahmma Rishi with a parrot nose, son of Sage of Veda Vyasa. She looks all smiling though standing on demon Mahishasura – a Shanta Swaroopini. It is believed that this parrot is taking the message of the devotees to Mother Lalithambika through Durga Matha. Even today, devotees can see a parrot flying from Durga shrine to Lalithambika shrine during evenings. 






Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam and Mandharam. Theertham is Surya Pushkarini and Kali Theertham. There are two Shiva shrines in the temple. Lord is in Linga form. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar had sung the glory of Lord in the shrine under the Rajagopuram and Saint Thirunavukkarasar had praised the Lord in the Ilamkovil in the north prakara of the temple. This is a temple of Mother importance. 




The devotee can have the darshan of the shrines of Lords Brahmma, Vishnu and Lingodhbava (Shiva) standing in between the two Vimanas. Lord Chandikeswara graces with four faces. There is a sculpture of Kshetra Puraneshwara in the outer circumambulatory path, where-in Lord Shiva is seen cajoling and pacifying the goddess. Rajendra Chola and Sembian Mahadevi are said to have renovated this ancient temple.