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Saturday, March 9, 2019

Mathiyasthanathar Temple, Dharugapuram, Thirunelveli

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