Mathiyasthanathar
Temple, Dharugapuram, Thirunelveli
Mathiyasthanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva located at Dharugapuram Village in Vasudevanallur Taluk in
Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mathiyasthanathar
/ Pinakkarutha Peruman and Mother is called as Akilandeswari. The Temple is
equivalent to Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswarar Temple. The Temple is believed to
be 1500 years old. The Temple is considered to be Guru Parihara Sthalam.
This is one of the Pancha
Bootha Sthalams around Sankarankoil. Pancha Bhoota Sthalam refers to five
temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five
prime elements of nature: land, water, air, sky, and fire.
Pancha indicates "five," Bhoota means
"elements," and Stala means "place." The temples
are located around Sankarankoil in Tamilnadu. The five elements are believed to
be enshrined in the five lingams of the temples, with each lingam named
based on the element represented. This Sthalam is called as Neer Sthalam (Water
Element).
Pancha Bootha Sthalams around
Sankarankoil are;
1. Sankara Narayanan Temple,
Sankarankovil, Thirunelveli (Land Element)
2. Nachadai Thavirthu Aruliya
Nathar Temple, Devadanam, Virudhunagar (Sky Element)
3. Mathiyasthanathar
Temple, Dharugapuram, Thirunelveli (Water Element)
4. Thiripuranathar Temple,
Thenmalai, Thirunelveli (Air Element)
5. Palvanna Nathar Temple,
Karivalamvandanallur, Thirunelveli (Fire Element)
Legends
Mathiyasthanathar:
Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas
fought each other continuously for the control of Tamil lands. Lord Shiva
decided to put an end to this fight. He came in the form of sage Agasthya
settled the disputes between the Kings by demarking the boundaries of their
respective country. Thus, the problem between the three crowned Kings got
solved. Since Lord Shiva settled the disputes between the Kings, he came to be
known as Mathiyasthanathar / Pinakkarutha Peruman.
Tharukapuram:
It is believed that an Asura
named Tharukan visited and prayed to Lord Shiva to get relief from a curse.
Hence this place was called as Tharukapuram.
People performed penance here:
Sages Gouthama, Sanakathi,
Vasishta and Valmiki performed penance here.
History
The Temple is believed to be
1500 years old. The place was developed into a city at about 500 years ago. The
Temple was dilapidated completely few centuries back. Later Maanapura Pandyan
reconsecrated the Temple to its current state. The Temple is traditionally
being maintained Thalaivan Kottai Zamindars.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as
Mathiyasthanathar / Pinakkarutha Peruman. There was a spring in the sanctum.
Sacred ablutions are done to the Lord with the water from this spring. Since
same water cannot be used for ablutions continuously as per Hindu scriptures,
the spring was closed permanently by putting stone slabs. Devotees can see
moistures in the sanctum walls even now. Mother is called as Akilandeswari.
There is a shrine for Bhairavar in the Temple premises. He is called as Agni
Bhairavar. People pray to him to get rid of black magics.
The temple also consists of a
Grand Natarajar Shrine and a Siddhar's Samadhi. Special mention to be made on the
Dhakshinamoorthy here. Dhakshinamoorthy is sitting above all Navagrahas, in a
peetam. It is like Dakshinamoorthy is teaching the Navagrahas. This kind of
arrangement can be found only in this Temple in entire world. Sthala Vriksham
is Mango tree. Two Kaala Poojas are conducted in this Temple.
Prayers
To get rid of Guru Dosham,
Devotees have to come to this Temple to worship Dakshinamoorthy for three
consecutive Thursdays. They have to worship the Lord Dakshinamoorthy during
Guru Hora Time (i.e. from 4.30 PM to 6.00 PM). Devotees has to offer Yellow
color dresses to Dakshinamoorthy and keep their horoscopes at the feet of the
Lord. Then devotees have to worship Lord and perform poojas. By doing so, they
can get rid of all Doshams related to Guru.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
5 Kms from Vasudevanallur, 5 Kms from Vasudevanallur Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Chinthamani
Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Puliyangudi, 23 Kms from Devathanam, 19 Kms from Thenmalai,
20 Kms from Karivalam Vanda Nallur, 24 Kms from Dharugapuram, 14 Kms from Sankarankovil
Railway Station, 15 Kms from Sankarankovil, 40 Kms from Rajapalayam, 38 Kms
from Tenkasi, 79 Kms from Tirunelveli and 145 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram
Airport. The Temple is situated on Rajapalayam to Tenkasi Route.
Location
