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Thursday, June 7, 2018

Villayuthamudaya Ayyanar Temple, Kochadai, Madurai

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.