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.
