Meignana Moorthy Temple,
Mudhal Kattalai, Thanjavur
Meignana Moorthy Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mudhal Kattalai Village in Kumbakonam
Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil
Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Meignana Moorthy and Mother is called
as Gnanambigai. The Village was called as Thulasenthipuram during Maratha
Period named after Maratha King Thulaja Raja.
Legends
Once, Veda Vyasa was visiting
several Shiva Sthalams for worship of Lord Shiva. On his way, he visited this
Village and got mesmerized by the beauty of this village and decided to stay in
this place for some time. He installed a Shiva Linga and started worshipping
Lord Shiva by chanting Vedas. Still Veda Vyasa did not understand the meaning
of Vedas. He prayed to Lord Shiva to help him in understanding Vedas. A divine
voice declared that Lord himself would explain to Sage Veda Vyasa in time.
Later, a Shiva Devotee came and informed him that he came to explain the truth
behind the Vedas.
He instructed Veda Vyasa to look
at him to understand the Vedas. Veda Vyasa looked at Shiva devotee and he was
astonished to see Lord Shiva. Veda Vyasa understood that Vedas were none other
than Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that this incident happened in this
Village. Since, Lord imparted knowledge about Vedas to Vyasa, Lord came to be
called as Meygyana Moorthy and Mother came to be called as Gnanambigai.
History
The Village was under the
control of Nayakkar Kings in 16th Century AD. King Achuthappa
Nayakkar, a great Shiva devotee, donated this village to Thiruvidaimarudur
Mahalingeswarar Temple for conducting Aadi Pooram festival as per the
inscription in Ilanthurai Temple Inscription dated to 1571 AD. Tulaja Raja of
Thanjavur Maratha Kingdom donated seven Kattalai Villages to Thiruvidaimarudur
Mahalingeswarar Temple for its maintenance. This Village is first of the seven
villages.
The
Temple
This is a small east facing
Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Meignana Moorthy and is facing east. He is
housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga. Dakshinamoorthy and Durga are the
Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Gnanambigai.
She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.
There are shrines for Vinayaga,
Murugan and Vyasa in the Temple premises. There is a Linga called Vayvu Lingam,
located in the north west corner of the Temple. A Nandi can be found facing the
Lingam. Shrines of Navagrahas and Kala Bhairavar can be found in the northeast
corner of the Temple premises. There is a Mariamman Temple in the southern side
adjoining this Temple.
Prayers
People pray here for mental
peace, education and relief from sins.
Contact
Meignana Moorthy Temple,
Mudhal Kattalai, Kumbakonam
Taluk,
Thanjavur District – 612 202
Mobile: +91 9487031796 /
9865402603
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 4
Kms from Ayyavadi, 5 Kms from Ammangudi, 6 Kms from Thirunageswaram, 7 Kms from
Nachiyar Koil, 7 Kms from Thirunageswaram Railway Station, 8 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur,
8 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur Railway Station, 9 Kms from Thiruneelakkudi, 10
Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 11 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 11 Kms
from Kumbakonam, 53 Kms from Thanjavur and 114 Kms from Trichy Airport. The
Temple is situated on Ayyavadi to Ammangudi Route. Take Bus No. 15 and 15 A
from Kumbakonam Bus Stand to reach this place.
Location
