Monday, August 20, 2018

Moovar Temple, Palanganatham, Madurai

Moovar Temple, Palanganatham, Madurai
Moovar Temple is a Hindu Temple located at Palanganatham in Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. The temple is dedicated to Hindu Trinity; Lord Brahmma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, hence all the three (Moovar) Lords are gracing in the temple together.


Legends
King Rajasekara Pandya felt that the legs of Lord Nataraja would be paining much if he continued his cosmic dance without a break. He begged the Lord to change legs, otherwise he would kill himself. Responding to the prayer of the king, Lord changed his legs in Madurai and continued his cosmic dance. A similar shrine called Velli Ambalam – stage made of Silver is built in this temple also representing this event. Special pujas are conducted here on Tiruvadhirai day.
History
Palanganatham has prehistoric reference in Silapathikaram, Kovalan who was wrongly penalized to death for theft visited this village before his death. There is a place called “Kovalan Pottal” near TVS Nagar which is supposed to be the place where he was put to death.

The Temple
The temple is dedicated to Hindu Trinity; Lord Brahmma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, hence all the three (Moovar) Lords are gracing in the temple together. There also shrines for their consorts – Saraswathi – Brahmma, Mahalakshmi – Vishnu and Parvathi – Shiva. The sanctum sanctorum is designed in such a way resembling the Meenakshi Sundareswarar wedding festival followed in Madurai. Behind the Shivalinga in the sanctum, are Lord Vishnu, Mother Meenakshi and Lord Shiva gracing in a sitting form.
Lord Shiva is decorated on Pradosham days falling on a Saturday and on Shivarathri day with Golden Nagabaranam – the divine snake ornament above the head of the Linga. Both men and women are permitted to enter the sanctum and do pujas if they are truly devout. Any one truly pious are allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum to function as a priest. Lord Vinayaka is praised in the name of Selva Siddhi Vinayaka – Vinayaka who grants prosperity to devotees.
Mother Kanaka Durga shrine reminds us of her shrine in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Those who worship her in Rahu Kala succeed in their endeavors. There are shrines for Lords Balamurugan, Aiyappan, Dakshinamurthy, Nandheeswarar, Venkatachalapathy, Chakkarathzhwar, Kala Bhairava, Nagalingam and Karuppanaswamy in the temple premises. There is a similar shrine to Velli Ambalam (stage made of Silver) of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is built in this temple.
There are shrines for Thevaram and Tiruvasagam saints – Thiru Gnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar along with Saint Vallalar who propagated the philosophy of Samarasa Sudha Sanmarga. A puja is conducted on the last Sunday of each English month for Saint Thirunavukkarasar who served the Lord with his spade instrument cleaning the pathways to Shiva temples for the convenience of the devotees. He followed the Dasya Marga – servicing to Lord and devotees.
Devotees enthusiastically participate in this cleaning service. A prize also is given to the devotees in recognition of their service to the temple during the Vaikasi festival. There is no hundi in the temple. The temple administration bears the expenses of lighting deepas (lamps) in the shrines. Abishekam is performed to all deities every day changing the clothes. Considering the importance of cleanliness of the temple, others are not permitted to do this.
The temple is not closed on eclipse time and other days caused by any untoward incident around the place. This is a temple of the people, by the people and for the people, for almost all temple duties are shared by them. The pujas are conducted by women on Tuesdays and Fridays while men perform this duty on other days. They cook in the temple kitchen, sweep and clean the temple, make garlands, draw Rangolis, strike the bells and all such other jobs.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 5.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Vaikasi-May-June is a festival month. Special pujas and abishekams are held on Margazhi Tiruvadhirai day in December-January.
Prayers
Prayers are submitted here for the welfare and prosperity of devotees. Devotees perform abishekam to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.
Contact
Moovar Temple,
Sundarar Street, Alagappan Nagar,
Madurai – 625 003
Mobile: +91 94431 06262
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Alagappa Nagar Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 4 Kms from Koodal Azhagar Temple, 4 Kms from Periyar Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 5 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 4 Kms from Thiruparankundram and 10 Kms from Madurai International Airport. Alagappan Nagar is situated after crossing Palanganatham on the Madurai – Tiruparankundram Road. Sundarar Street where the temple stands, is just near the railway gate. Buses are available from Periyar bus stand bound to Tirumangalam and Tiruparankundram.
Location