Muktheeswarar Temple, Madurai
Muktheeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Madurai City in
Madurai District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also called as Iravadheshvarar
Temple. The temple is located south of Vaigai river at Vandiyur. This temple is
situated near the famous Teppakulam area of Madurai. The temple is one of
the Pancha Bootha Sthalams of Madurai. This Temple is the Vayu Sthalam of
Madurai District. While constructing the famous Sri Meenakshi temple, the
sand for the construction was taken from this place. Later it was
converted into a water tank. Muktheeswarar temple is on the western side of the
tank.
Legends
Iravadha Nallur:
Indira’s
vehicle, the while elephant Iravadham ignored a flower used in Shiva
Pooja. It was cursed by Rishi Durvasa. It wandered among the wild
elephants and finally was relieved of the curse. It worshiped Lord Shiva
for his grace. As Indira could not find the Iravadha elephant even after the
term of the curse, he set out in search of the animal. Before returning to the
upper world with his Master Indira, the elephant wanted to worship Lord Shiva.
It created a place after its name, worshiped Muktheeswarar. Even today,
according to the documents of the temple, the place is known as Iravadha
Nallur.
Pancha Bootha Sthalams:
Of the
Panchabhuta shrines in Madurai (Panchabhudhas – Air, Fire, water,
earth and space making this universe), Muktheeswarar temple represents Vayu - Air. This
is one of the temples worshipped by Sun.
The
Temple
The
temple has just one outer prakaram. The mandapam leading to the sanctum
sanctorum is big. Presiding Deity is called as Muktheeswarar. It is noteworthy
that the rays of Sun Rays fall on the Presiding Deity Muktheeswarar during the
days from 10/11 to 22/23 in the month of March and again between September 18
to 30 and these rays remain for about 20 minutes each day. As Sun God himself
is worshipping the Lord with his rays submitted at his feet, there is no special
shrine for the Navagrahas – 9 planets.
It is
also believed that a direct prayer to Lord Muktheeswarar would relieve the
devotee from the adverse effects of the planets. Mother is called as Maragathavalli.
The Thiruvilayadals (miracle deeds) of Lord Shiva are very beautifully sculpted
in the pillars of the temple, besides the scenes of penance of Rishis. There is
also an idol of Ekabadramurthy combining the forms of Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva
with only two feet.
There
are Vinayaka shrines in Northeast and Northwest. King Thirumalai Naicker
committed to build a tank for Mother Meenakshi and the land chosen was in front
of the Muktheeswarar temple, hence the temple could not be extended
further. As there was no Rajagopuram (main tower) for the temple, the
one constructed in the centre of the tank, which would look as a tower built
for Muktheeswarar Temple if viewed either from within the temple
or from the eastern side.
Sthala
Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. There are four varieties of Vilwa trees here called Nelli,
Kiluvai, Mavilangai and Vilwa. The Vilwa tree and the Vinayaka in the
Northwest grace the devotee his needs who commences lighting a deepa before
this Lord on any bright moon day and come around thrice and continue it for 48
days. Theertham is Vaigai River.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Navarathri
(9 days festival) in Purattasi – September-October, Adipooram and Krithika
month Mondays with Sandal paste bathing, Thiruvadirai in
Margazhi-December-January, Fridays in the months of Adi-July-August and
Thai-January-February are the important festivals celebrated in the temple.
Pradosha days (13th day from the New Moon or Full Moon days) each month,
Pongal, both English and Tamil New Year days, Ganesh Chaturthi, are also
observed devotionally in the temple. During Thai Poosam festival, Sri Meenakshi
and Sri Sundareswarar from Meenakshi temple visit this temple. A Theppam
(boat) with both Sri Meenakshi and Sri Sundareswarar goes around the tank.
Prayers
Lord Muktheeswarar
relieves his devotees from affliction of adverse effects caused by the nine planets. Those
who pray to the Lord and Goddess Maragathavalli attain salvation after life and
peaceful life during lifetime. The devotees are graced with good marital
alliances, wise children etc. Offering Vastras (clothes) to the Lord is
considered as a means to accumulate the goodwill of the Almighty. This is
known as a great Punniyam during life time.
Those
seeking higher education seek the blessings of the Lord here. Those aspiring
the benefits of performing Ashvamedha Yaga, bathe the (Abishek) the Lord with
tender coconut, those aspiring for a berth in Mount Kailash, the
Abode of Lord Shiva bathe him with pure rice and those seeking the benefits of
performing a consecration of a temple do Panchamritham Abishekam. The Vilwa
tree and the Vinayaka in the Northwest grace the devotee his needs who
commences lighting a deepa before this Lord on any bright moon day and come around
thrice and continue it for 48 days.
Contact
Muktheeswarar
Temple,
Theppakulam
– 625 009,
Madurai
District
Phone: +91 452 234 9868 / 234 4360
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 600 meters from Teppakulam Bus Stop, 400 meters from
Vandiyur Mariyamman Temple, 3.5 Kms from Meenakshi Amman Temple, 5 Kms from
Koodal Azhagar Temple, 5 Kms from Periyar Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Mattuthavani
Integrated Bus Terminus, 6 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 12 Kms from
Thiruparankundram and 13 Kms from Madurai International Airport. This temple is
situated near the famous Teppakulam area of Madurai. Teppakulam is an important
landmark of Madurai. Muktheeswarar temple is on the western side of the
tank. Town buses are available from Periyar Bus Stand and from
Mattuthavani Bus Stand.