Mukthialeeswarar Temple, Perumukkal, Villupuram
Mukthialeeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Perumukkal Village near Tindivanam Town in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is situated at the top of the Perumukkal Hills. Presiding Deity is called as Mukthialeeswarar / Thiruvanmikai Eeswaramudaiyar / Thirumalaimel Udaiyar / Perumukkal Udaiyar / Thiruvanmeeswaramudaiyaan and Mother is called as Gnanambigai.
The Temple had originally been built in brick, was converted to a stone temple during the period of Vikrama Chola (1118-35 CE). The temple is under the control of Archeology survey of India (ASI). There are two ways to reach this hillock temple, both from the front and back side of Perumukkal Hills. Perumukkal Hills was also called as Thirumalai, Gnanamalai and Mukyasailam during ancient times.
History
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The Temple
The Mukthialeeswarar Temple, located atop of the Perumukkal hillock, had originally been built in brick, was converted to a stone temple during the period of Vikrama Chola (1118-35 CE). There is no Rajagopuram at the entrance. Vetri Vinayagar can be found on the left side of the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Mukthialeeswarar / Thiruvanmikai Eeswaramudaiyar / Thirumalaimel Udaiyar / Perumukkal Udaiyar / Thiruvanmeeswaramudaiyaan.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. There is a Nandi facing the sanctum. There is a big Nandi in a separate Mandapam in the outer prakaram facing the sanctum. There is a stone window behind the sanctum through which sun rays will fall on Lord Shiva for three days twice in a year during April and September. Mother is called as Gnanambigai. There is a separate shrine for Mother in the Temple premises.
There is a beautiful sculpture of Mother Sita sitting in Ashoka Vana amidst Demoness, Monkey and Bhooda Gana above the Deva Koshta Idol of Dakshina Moorthy. There is a separate shrine for Hanuman behind the sanctum. There is a temple pond near to this Hanuman Shrine. There is cave called Sita Kukai formed by hillocks near to this Temple Pond.
The donations made by the Chola, Pandya, Sambuvarayars, Kadavarayas, Vijayanagara rulers have been recorded in more than 60 inscriptions found on the temple walls. In the bottom of the hill, nice feet carvings are found. Hence this might be a Jain temple in earlier days. Also, a damaged Vinayaga idol can be seen at the bottom of the hillock.
Festivals
Maha Shivarathri and Monthly Pradoshams are celebrated here with much fanfare. People circumbulate the hill (Girivalam) during Pournami Days. Maha Deepam is lit on the top of hill during Karthigai Deepam.
Contact
Saleeswarar Temple,
Perumukkal,
Villupuram District - 604 102
Mobile: +91 97860 64598 / 91593 95749
Mobile: +91 94428 98395 / 97877 03262Connectivity
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