Manunadeeswarar Temple, Maruthavancheri, Thiruvarur

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.