Mela Thirumanancheri Airavateshwarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Airavateshwarar Temple, Mela Thirumanancheri, Mayiladuthurai

Airavateshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mela Thirumanancheri Village near Kuthalam Town in Kuthalam Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Airavateshwarar / Madhyaneswarar and Mother is called as Sugantha Kundalambika / Vasa Malar Kuzhal Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. This temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This temple is the 78^th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 24^th sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/12/mela-thirumanancheri-airavateshwarar.html

History

The temple might have been in existence from 6^th century CE. The present structure is believed to be built by the Kulothunga Chola. Lord Shiva was called as Thiru Ethirkolpadi Udaiyar, Mother was called as Perungarunai Pirattiyar and the place was called as Ethirkolpadi as per the inscriptions available in the temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with three tiered rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Airavateshwarar / Madhyaneswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam within a square avudaiyar.

Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The sanctum is large enough to allow the entry of an elephant. Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Jaya Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Sugantha Kundalambika / Vasa Malar Kuzhal Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.

Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam to the right side of the sanctum. Shrines of Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Gaja Lakshmi, Bala Saraswathi, Swarna Bhairava, Nataraja, Thunaivantha Vinayakar, Nalvar, Saneeswarar, Suryan, Chandran and Bharatha Lingam can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Airavata Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.

Festivals

Chithirai Indira Vizha, Chitra Pournami & Tamil New Year (Apr-May), Avani Vinayagar Chathurthi (Aug-Sep), Purattasi Navaratri Vazhipadu (Sep-Oct), Karthikai Deepam & Mondays (Nov-Dec), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan), Thai Pongal (Jan-Feb) and Masi Magam & Masi Shivaratri (Feb-Mar) are the festivals celebrated here. Pournami, Amavasya, Ashtami and Pradoshams are also observed regularly.

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/12/mela-thirumanancheri-airavateshwarar_23.html

Prayers

People organize wedding receptions in the temple hoping that the couple would be close to each other as Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. Those who have daughters pray here for blessed married life for their daughters. Devotees pray here for recovery of lost things, restoration of positions lost, those suffering from stomach problems and to remove obstacles in marriage proposals.

Contact

Airavateshwarar Temple,

Mela Thirumanancheri – 609 813,

Kuthalam Taluk,

Mayiladuthurai District

Phone: +91 4364 235 487

Mobile: +91 80121 60621 / 96002 08708

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Kuthalam Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Kuthalam, 5.5 Kms from Kuthalam Railway Station, 13 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Junction Railway Station, 14 Kms from Mayiladuthurai New Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 29 Kms from Kumbakonam and 118 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated at about 5 Kms northward from Kuthalam on Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam route. Town buses are available from Mayiladuthurai to Thirumanancheri Via Kuthalam. Cabs and bus facilities are available from Kuttalam Bus Stand.

Location