Hari Muktheeswarar Temple, Ariyamangai,
Thanjavur
Hari Muktheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Ariyamangai in Papanasam Taluk in Thanjavur District of
Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Hari Muktheeswarar and Mother is
called as Gnanambika. The place is also called as Harimangai. This Temple is
one of the 7 shrines associated with the Saptha Matrikas (Madhas / Mangais)
around Ayyampettai / Pasupathi Koil area in the Thanjavur – Papanasam
(Kumbakonam) route. This Temple is associated with Mother Maheswari.
Legends
Ganga
Darshan:
In this temple, Mother Parvathi accompanied by Maheswari
(Another Mother form which came out of Lord Shiva and She holds Trident and
wears Chandran on her head), worshipped Shiva and had the Ganga
Darshan. This happens every year on the second day of Navarathri (Dwithiyai).
Ariya
Mangai:
Once Mahalakshmi came to this place, had bath in the
Sathya Ganga Theertham (now called Hari Theertham), did severe penance to Shiva
and was eating only the Arunellikai fruit. Her goal was to get a boon from
Shiva that she should be always by the side of Lord Vishnu. Pleased with
her devotion, Shiva gave her the Boon. Since Hari Mangai refers to
Mahalakshmi, this place came to be called Hari Mangai which over a period of
time, became Ariya Mangai.
Hari
Muktheeswarar:
Since Lord Vishnu also worshipped this Lord, he is
called Hari Muktheeswarar.
Mother
appeared as a young girl to Nadha Sharma Couple:
In this temple, the Mother appeared as a young girl of
school going age to the Nadha Sharma couple.
The
Temple
The temple is very small and is situated in a slightly
elevated place. Presiding Deity is called as Hari Muktheeswarar and Mother
is called as Gnanambika. There is a separate shrine for Lord Varadaraja with his
consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There are also shrines for Murugan and
Vinayaga in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Nelli (gooseberry) and the
Theertham is Hari Theertham. The association with Lord Vishnu is confirmed
by both the name of the Lord and the Theertham.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri in February-March, Aipasi Annabishekam in
October-November and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the
festivals celebrated in the temple. This Temple is one of the seven places
forming seven Holy Kshetras in and around Pasupathi Koil where the annual
Saptha Sthanam festival is held in the month of Panguni. The Deities from the
main temple Chakkarapalli are taken in a procession in very huge “kannadippallakkoo”
weighing more than 2000 Kgs by bearers on bare foot over more than 40 Kms in
two days nonstop except for few hours halt at Kudamurutti river sands for the
fireworks show at 4 am.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
and 04.00 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.
Religious
Significance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Manakkadu
Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Kovilady Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Mangudi Road Bus Stop, 1
Km from Ayyampet Railway Station, 10 Kms from Papanasam, 18 Kms from Thanjavur,
14 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 13 Kms from Thingalur, 11 Kms from Thirupazhanam, 24
Kms from Kumbakonam and 71 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Thanjavur
– Kumbakonam Road.