Matrurai Varadeeswarar Temple, Thiruvasi,
Manachanallur – The Temple
This
east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has two
corridors. This temple is considered to be significant for its three
important attributes – Murthy, Sthalam and Theertham (glory of Lord, sacredness
of the land and the auspicious temple tank). Presiding Deity is called as Maatrurainathar
/ Sameevaneswarar / Matrurauvaradeeswarar / Brahmapureeswarar. Lord Shiva in
this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested). Lord graces under a
Rudraksha Pandal in the sanctum sanctorum.
The
Outer wall around the sanctum has the various Koshta vigrahas like
Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy. Vishnu and Lakshmi in the west. In koshtam
Arthanareeswarar can be seen in place of Lingothbavar in the Koshta Walls. Mother
is called as Balambigai / Bala Soundary. Ambal Sannidhi faces west, looking
towards lord Shiva. Mother Idol is about 5 feet tall. Mother is gracing in
separate shrine facing west standing on a Lotus petal. Goddess Balambikai here
has a unique posture – her left hand looks like a crab (Nandu / Kadagam in
Tamil).
It is
also said that this is the only temple where you can see Goddess Parvathy’s
hand like this. The Dwarapalakis (woman securities) are worshipped by women
tying the yellow thread with a cradle. It is believed that Ambica receives
their appeals through them. During the Arthajama (night) pujas, it is
first offered to Ambica and next to Lord. Mothers of new-born children and
parents worried about children with Bala doshas perform abishek to Mother
seeking her grace for the wellbeing of the children.
The
parrot dug with its beak and made a tank which is in front of Balambigai
Sannidhi is called as ‘Annama Poigai’. The shrine of Lord Selva Vinayaka and
Annamma Poigai is opposite the shrine of Mother Balambikai. Lord Vinayaka
of the temple is Anugnai Vinayaka. Adhikara Nandhi-vehicle of Lord Shiva
appears with his consort under the Rajagopuram-main tower. Planet Sun is with his
consort Prathyusha Devi while the other planets are facing him. There is a
Sahasralingam Shrine in the prakara. There is a nice walking path outside the
main praharam.
Lord
Nataraja appears here in Sabha Mandapam with his hair tied and dancing on a
serpent (Muyalagan). He is praised as Sarpa Nataraja. This is a rare
darshan of the Lord. The sacred hall in between the first and Second praharam
is called as Aavudaya Pillai Mandapam. In the pillars of this hall there are
sculptures of Sambandar, King Kolli Mazhavan and his daughter is carved beautifully.
Also, a ball inside the pillar carved from a single stone can also be seen in
this mandapam. There is another hall where the Lord Shiva has given golden
coins to Sambandar. Sundarar is in singing posture with Thalam in his hands,
kept along with urchava moortham in this Temple.
Other
than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords
Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Nalvar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar,
Brahma, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Mathakkal, Navagraham,
Suryan, Chandran, Sahasra lingam and Bairavar can be seen in the corridor. Sthala
Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theertham associated with this temple are Annamma
Poigai, Kollidam and Silambaru. The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam)
took place on 14.06.2017.
