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Sunday, August 2, 2020

Manthirapureeswarar Temple, Manjamalli, Thanjavur

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