Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Vishwanathar Temple, Mukhasaparur, Cuddalore

Vishwanathar Temple, Mukhasaparur, Cuddalore
Vishwanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Mukhasaparur Village in Virudhachalam Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vishwanathar and Mother is called as Annapoorani. This Temple houses the Jeeva Samadhi of Gorakka Siddhar.


Legends
It is believed that Gorakka Siddhar worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. It is also believed that Gorakka Siddhar attained Jeeva Samadhi in this Temple. He had sung about Lord Shiva and Annapoorani of this Parur Temple in his songs. According to some sources, this temple was completed by Korakkar.


History
The Temple was believed to be built around 12th Century A.D. This temple structure does not match to any of the known architectural styles. This temple structure is matched only by the Perumal Temple of the same village. Around 200 years ago, Parur Palayam was ruled by a Polygar with Parur as its capital. Mukhasa, a Muslim general invaded the area and destroyed the temples in Parur Palayam. Vishwanathar Temple is one among them. After his invasion, the village came to be called as Mukhasa Parur. It is strange to find that the village was named after its destroyer.


The Temple
This is an east facing Temple with an entrance arch. There is ancient Nandi Mandapam and Balipeedam outside the Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Vishwanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Nandi housed in a Mandapam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. Sun rays will fall on Shiva Lingam during Shivaratri.


Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Annamalaiyar and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be found in his usual location. There is a sculpture of Gorakka Siddhar worshipping Lord Shiva can be found near to Chandikeswarar shrine in the nearby wall.


Mother is called as Annapoorani. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. There is a Nandi in front of Mother shrine. There are separate shrines and Idols of Kannimoola Vinayagar, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Korakkar, Bhairavar, Suryan, Aishwarya Lakshmi, Chandran and Navagrahas in the Temple premises.


Gorakkar Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi can be found in a separate Mandapam in the Temple premises. A Lingam has been installed at his Jeeva Samadhi. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the Lingam. There is a Neem Tree in the Temple premises. A unique aspect of this Tree is one of the roots can be seen above the ground level. It appears like a giant snake circling around the tree.


Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Mukhasa Parur Railway Station, 8 Kms from Vijayamanagaram, 9 Kms from Puvanur Railway Station, 12 Kms from Virudhachalam Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Virudhachalam, 12 Kms from Virudhachalam Railway Station, 14 Kms from Ulundurpet, 73 Kms from Cuddalore, 133 Kms from Trichy Airport, 202 Kms from Chennai Airport and 223 Kms from Chennai. Travel in Virudhachalam to Ulundurpet Road, take a left at Vijayamanagaram and travel for another 8 Kms to reach this Temple.