Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple, Munchirai, Kanyakumari

Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple, Munchirai, Kanyakumari
Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Munchirai in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. This temple is part of the famous Shivalaya Ottam. This shrine is the starting point of the holy Shivalaya Ottam, a run through twelve Shiva temples undertaken on Shivarathri. The stone carvings available in the temple dates back to the eleventh century AD, during the reign of Rajendra Chola I. The deity of the shrine is called Munchirai Thirumalai Thevar and Soolapani.
















Legends
Temple standing here in all Yugas:
As per Hindu Mythology, this temple stands through all the four Yugas. In Kirudayugam it was known as Sreesylam, in Threthayugam Swamy Sylam, in Dhwaparayuga Bavyasylam and in Kaliyuga Sivasylam. The temple is believed to have found mention in Ramayana and Mahabharata. 
Uthachi, Mother of Thirumalai Nayak prayed to Lord Shiva for Off Spring:
Uthachi, the mother of Thirumalai Nayak had no off-spring and as such she undertook a penance at a place surrounded by a fort near Thirumalai. As a result she brought forth a male child. The new born was named after the deity of Thirumalai. The fort is known as Uthatchikkottai and can be seen very near to the Thirumalai Temple. Later Thirumalai Nayak presented golden Angi and crown of 182 tolas each to the deity when he visited the temple.
Sage Vyakarapadhar worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sage Vyakarapadhar visited this place and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
Poojas & Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
The priests perform daily rituals like Palliunartal, Abhishekam, archana, neivedhyam etc. Abhishekam or bathing is done with milk, curd, ghee, honey and the juice of tender coconuts.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Vilavancode, 8 Kms from Marthandam, 7 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 15 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 10 Kms from Nattalam, 21 Kms from Thuckalay, 19 Kms from Colachel, 35 Kms from Nagercoil, 56 Kms from Kanyakumari, 22 Kms from Eraniel and 46 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuzhithurai (7 Kms) and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram (46 Kms).