Manthirapureeswarar Temple, Manjamalli,
Thanjavur
Manthirapureeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Manjamalli Village
near Aduthurai Town in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil
Nadu. Presiding
Deity is called as Manthirapureeswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki.
The Temple is situated on the southern bank of River Cauvery. The Temple is under
the control of Thiruvaduthurai Aadheenam.
Legends
Lord Murugan before his battle
with Soora Padma came to Senganur along with Bhooda Ganas, Devas, Indra,
Veerabhagu and Nava Veeras. He worshipped Satyagireeswarar and obtained
powerful Rudra Pasupatha missile as he needed the missile to destroy Soora Padma.
After receiving the missile, he set out to Thiruvidaimarudur. On his way, he
came across scenic village. He decided to perform his Nithya Pooja at this
village. Lord Murugan thought of annihilating the demon along with his entire
clan in Mahendrapuri.
Lord Murugan took bath in the
temple pond and prayed to Lord Shiva of this Temple. Lord Shiva taught a divine
mantra to Lord Muruga which could help Lord Muruga in his fight with Soora
Padma. As Lord Shiva initiated Mantra to Lord Murugan, Lord Shiva came to be
called as Manthirapureeswarar. As Lord Murugan took bath in the temple pond,
the temple pond came to be called as Kanda Theertham.
The Temple
The Temple is facing towards
east. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum
consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is
called as Manthirapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum
in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga
are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be
seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Periyanayaki. She is housed in
a separate south facing shrine. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Murugan and
Chandikeswarar in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple is
Kanda Theertham. It is situated to the north side of the temple.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 4
Kms from Aduthurai, 4 Kms from Aduthurai Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Aduthurai
Railway Station, 8 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 8 Kms from Thiruvavaduthurai,
16 Kms from Kumbakonam, 17 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 57 Kms from Thanjavur
and 110 Kms from Trichy Airport. Aduthurai Town is situated on the Mayiladuthurai
– Kumbakonam
highway, and buses are available from Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam. Various
private and government long haul buses stop here connecting this town with
major cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai. Bus facilities to Keezh
Maruthuvakudi from Aduthurai are less frequent. Hence, hire autos from
Aduthurai to reach this Temple.
Location
