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Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Mathalingeswarar Temple, Mathiravelur, Nagapattinam

Mathalingeswarar Temple, Mathiravelur, Nagapattinam
Mathalingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Mathiravelur Village near Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mathalingeswarar and Mother is called as Sundaranayagi. It is believed that this is one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola. The Village was named after this Temple.





Legends
Kochengat Chola was a Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one of the temple built by him.




Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Gopalasamuthiram, 8 Kms from Kollidam Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Kollidam Railway Station, 16 Kms from Sirkazhi, 17 Kms from Sirkazhi Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Sirkazhi Railway Station, 15 Kms from Chidambaram, 16 Kms from Railway Station and 146 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Chidambaram to Sirkazhi Route. From Kollidam, take branch road to Mathiravelur for about 8 Kms to reach this Temple. Nearest Railway Stations are located at Kollidam, Sirkazhi and Chidambaram. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
Location