Villayuthamudaya Ayyanar Temple, Kochadai, Madurai
Villayuthamudaya Ayyanar Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Sastha, a Village Deity located at Kochadai, a suburb of
Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also known as
Muthaiya Swamy Temple. This Temple is believed to be
belong to Pandya period.
Legends
Lord Shiva’s play at Kochadai:
The epic
speaking the 64 blessingful events of Lord Shiva has a mention about Kochadai.
With a view to take an old lady Vandhi by name, Lord Shiva caused heavy floods
in River Vaigai. While one in each family was demanded to repair the breaches
caused by the flood, as Vandhi had no one to offer for the job, Lord Shiva himself
came to her rescue offering himself for the job, taking the pudding Vandhi was
selling for his wage.
King
Pandya, dissatisfied with his work caned him in anger – Kovichu Adi – in Tamil.
The place also came to be known as Kovichu Adi which in course of time changed
to Kochadai. There is a Chokkanatha temple near this place. It is said that
this is the original place from where Mother Meenakshi graced devotees.
Muthiah Koil:
Muthiahswami
came to Aiyanar in the earlier days looking for asylum. Later he became famous.
As he became popular this place came to be known as Muthiah Koil.
Sage Patanjali performed penance here:
It is
believed that Sage Patanjali performed penance here under the Tamarind Tree.
The
Temple
This is
an ancient temple belonging to the Pandya period. Presiding Deity is called as Villayuthamudaya
Ayyanar since he is seen with a bow which is a rare posture. He is considered
the guardian of the Madurai border in this direction and there are such Guardian
temples for Madurai city in each direction. People of all communities worship
Aiyanar as their Kuladevatha. As Aiyanar is very powerful, as a courtesy, no
horse or carts drawn by horses would not cross this area.
The
devotee is greeted with Villayudham Udaya Aiyanar (Aiyanar with a bow) on a
horse and Muthiah with the pancha Bhoodas. Next is seated the white elephant
gifted to Aiyanar by Indira. Aiyanar graces in the sanctum sanctorum with his
consorts Pooranai and Pushkala. Shenbagavalli Aiyanar with Pooranai and
Pushakalai discovered in the Shenbaga garden of king Shenbaga Pandian also
graces near the sanctum. The white elephant and the horse are his
vahans-vehicles.
There 21
deities in the temple, Aiyanar with a bow, Muthiahswami, Karupusamy, Agni Veerabhadrar,
Karuppayi Amman, Sangilikaruppu, Kaluvadikaruppu, Meiyandi Amman, Nagappaswami,
Sannasi, Aadipoosari, Pechiamman, Muthukaruppuswami, Irulappaswami,
Veeranaswami, Rakkayi Amman, Irulayee Amman, Chappani, Sonai Muniyandi and
Badrakali.
There are
statues of the three Tamil kings, Chera, Chola and Pandya also. Karuppuswami
and Muthiah shrines are at the right and Nagappaswami on the left of Aiyanar. There
are statues for the three Tamil kings, Chera, Chola and Pandya and idols for
Saptha Kannis the seven maidens. Theerthams associated with this Temple are Vaigai
River and Azhagar Temple Theertham.
Sthala
Vriksham is Tamarind Tree. This Tamarind tree is described in Tamil as Puli
Aayiram, Pondu Aayiram meaning that there would be thousands of holes in the
tree. The antiquity of the tamarind tree date back over 2000 years. It is
believed that Sage Patanjali performed penance here. The tree is worshipped by
devotees for removal of Nagadoshas – adverse snake aspects, for wedding boon
and for child boon. It is surprising that even when some long and strong
branches of the tree fell down due to ageing, no damage was caused to the
temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 11.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. and 04.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri
is celebrated for three days in the month of Masi, February-March. The other
festival in Purattasi (September-October) is celebrated only by the villagers
of Kochadai on getting the permission from a lizard sound from a palm tree in
the month. If the approval is not obtained, the festival would be postponed to
the next year. The tradition is followed even now. The Soolattu Puja festival
for Rakkayi Amman and the Pavadai puja festival for Muthiahswami by the family
trustees are very famous for all their pomp and splendour. This is a Murayeedu
(submission) temple.
Prayers
For
removal of Naga Dosha, devotees pour milk to Nagamma under the tamarind tree.
Those seeking wedding boon tie Mangal Sutras and those seeking child boon tie cradles
with Saris in the tree. Devotees pour milk to Nagamma on realizing their
wishes.
Contact
Villayuthamudaya Ayyanar / Sri Muthaiya Swamy Temple
Kochadai,
Madurai District
Phone: +91 452 6524201
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 800 meters from Mudakkusalai Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Madurai,
5 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 4 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus
Stand, 10 Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 4 Kms from Madurai
Railway Junction and 15 Kms from Madurai International Airport.
