Thirumullaivayil Sri Maasilaamaneeswarar

Thirumullaivayil is situated at the northwest suburbs of Chennai and is about 12 kms from the Padi Junction. One can reach Thirumullaivayil after crossing Ambathur and taking right driving about 5 kms.

Thirumullaivayil has an ancient Shiva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva called Sri Maasilaamaneesarar. Among the 32 temples which are sung by Nayanmars in Thondai Mandalam, Thirumullaivayil stands 22nd of them. The Goddess here is Sri Kodiyidaiamman.

Legend has it that, there were two evil kings called Vaanan and Onan who belonged to the community called Kurumbars. These two Kurumbars were giving constant trouble to the then ruling king called Thondaimaan.

Thondaimaan, waged a war against Kurumbar to suppress them from creating trouble to his peaceful kingdom. These Kurumbars fought against Thondaimaan with the help of Sri Bhairavar. The King Thondaimaan, returned unsuccessfully after fighting with Kurumbars. On his way, when he was riding on an elephant, he found that the jasmine creepers encircled his elephant’s leg and obstructed his way. The king angrily whipped his sword on the creepers and blood started flowing from the place where he whipped.

The king got down from his elephant and found that there was a Shiva Lingam and he had whipped his sword on the Lingam itself and hence it was bleeding. Thondaimaan felt guilty of his deed and tried killing himself with his sword. Lord Shiva gave dharshan to Thondaimaan and said that though He was injured by the king’s sword, He would be giving dharshan without any scar on His idol and hence he would be called Maasilaamaneeswarar. (God, without any scar).

Lord Shiva, also directed His Nandhi to accompany the king to help him win the war. Hence Nandhi here is seen facing the opposite direction instead of facing Lord Shiva in the sanctum.

The king, Thondaimaan, who won the battle against kurumbars (Vaanan and Onan) destroyed their forts and brought two (Vellerukku) pillars from there and installed them to form a temple for Sri Maasaalaamaneeswarar. Even today, one can find two strong (Vellerukku) pillars in front of the sanctum of Lord Sri Maasilaamaneesarar.

Another feature of this temple is, both the Lord and the Goddess are be facing east as the Lord gave dharshan to Thondaimaan in a hurry, on his way from the battle field. Usually, one can see the Goddess on the left side of the Lord and here She is seen on the right side.

It is said that when full moon day and Friday fall on the same day, it is auspicious to worship Sri Thiruvudai Amman at Melur in the morning, Thiruvotriyur Sri Vadivudaiamman in the noon and Sri Kodiyidaiamman here in the evening, on the same day, which is equivalent to the pilgrimage to Kaasi and Raameswaram.

The Lord here is not performed any Abhishegam,as he has an injury on his body caused by the king blowing his sword. Only the Sandhana Kaappu (Sandal Paste) is applied on the Lord throughout the year and once a year during the Thamizh month of Chithirai on the Sadhayam star day, a new Sandhana Kaappu is applied again to the Lord.

Ancient saints like Sri Arunagirinaadhar, Sri Sundharar and Sri Vallalaar have visited this temple and have sung praise on the Lord here. Sri Arunagirinaadhar has sung a special Vada Thirumullaivayil Thiruppugazh here, which is inscribed on stone in the temple.

The temple is built on a very vast space and has very wide praakaarams. The entire structure is too ancient that one can easily feel the age and divinity of the temple.

A tall Dhwjasthambham (flag staff) in front of the sanctum, adds glory to the whole temple.

Nandhi is seen facing east instead of facing the Lord.

Around the praakaaram, there are shrines for Lord Ganesha and Sri Balasubramanyar.

There is a separate shrine for Kusalavapureeswarar on the outer praakaaram (might be worshipped by Lava and Kusa, the sons of Rama, as there are many temples around Chennai, worshipped by them).

There is also a separate shrine for Sri Bhairavar on the outer praakaaram.

The sanctum and the Vimaanam are of Gajabrishta shape, which looks like the back of sleeping elephant.

The Koshta Moorthies give Dharshan at their respective directions around the inner praakaaram.

There is also a statue for Sri Thondaimaan Chakravarthy at the praakaaram, who built this temple.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Vellerukku which is seen at the outer praakaaram.

The Theertham for this temple is Kalyaana Theertham, which is huge and beautiful , present opposite the temple.

A beautiful 16 pillared stone mandapam is present in front of the temple, facing the entrance.

There is also couple of ancient inscriptions dating about 1915 and beyond, mentioning about the donations made to the temple welfare by one Pachaiyappa Mudaliar & a lady called Chellammal for the maintenance of the temple.
This wonderful temple is within the easy reach from Chennai city and is worth spending a day.

Thirukkachur Sri Oushadheeswarar

Thirukkachur is a very small village situated about 3 kms from Singaperumal Koil. This village lies on the west side of Singaperumal Koil off the GST Road.

There is a small hillock in this village called Oushadhagiri. At the foot hill, there is this stunning, ancient temple for Lord Shiva called Sri Oushadheeswarar.

This is a beautiful temple which is said to be built by Kulothunga Chozha, where the main deity is Sri Oushadheeswarar (in Sanskrit ‘oushadha’ means medicine) also called Marundheeswarar and Goddess Andhaka Nivarani Ambaal (also called Sri Irul Neekki Ambaal). This temple is also called as Malai Koil by the villagers.

The entrance of this temple is facing south. There is no Rajagopuram for this temple. Soon after the entrance, there is a stone pillared Mandapam on which wonderful ancient carvings of Lingothbavar, Kamakshi, Pattinathaar, Dhandaayudhapaani etc, are seen.

It is said that this hill is rich in herbs containing very rare and precious herbs all over.

Legend has it that, as per the direction of Lord Indra, Aswini Devas came to this place to find some rare herbs and worshipped Lord Shiva here.

It is also said that Sage Agasthiyar worshipped Lord Marundheeswarar both at Thiruvaanmiyur and Thirukkachur and enriched his knowledge on Herbal Medicines.

Another unique feature of this temple is the deity Sri Marundheeswarar here is facing west. The outer praakaram is huge and has Dwajasthambha and Nandhi facing east towards the sanctum.

The people believe that the soil of this place itself is medicinal (மண்ணே மருந்து) and would cure one from ailments. There is a small pit near Dwajasthambha filled with mud. This mud is considered sacred and medicinal, which devotees apply on their forehead like Vibhuthi.

There is a separate shrine for Sri Andhaka Nivarani Ambaal, where She is in standing posture.

Sri Brahma, Sri Durgai, Sri Sandigeswarar and Sri Bhairavar are seen on the praakaram around the sanctum. Sri Sandigeswarar here is seen with 4 heads which is not seen in many temples. He is called Chathurmuga Sandigeswarar.

Sri Dhakshinamurthy is present facing south.

There is an ancient well at the north eastern side of this temple. This serves as the Theertham for this temple and is called 'Oushadha Theertham'. This water too is believed to have medicinal properties.

This well is made in such a way that, one can enter the well and reach up to the surface of water through the steps. This steps start at a distance from the well and goes inside the well even below the water level. It is said that there are 60 steps to this stair case. A very unique and a 'well designed well’.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Palaa Maram (Jack tree).

Girivalam is very popular here. Devotees undertake Girivalam on Pournami (full moon) days and Tuesdays praying the Lord, to get cured of their illness.

Sundaramurthy Naayanaar, who had visited this village and composed hymns on Sri Kachabeswarar, has sung 2 hymns in praise of Sri Oushadheeswarar too.

Thirukkachur is definitely a sanctified place, possessing 3 ancient Shiva Temples.

Thirukkachur Sri Kachabeswarar

Thirukkachur is a very small village situated about 3 kms from Singaperumal Koil. This village lies of the west side of Singaperumal Koil off the GST Road.

This small village is blessed with a huge temple for Lord Shiva called Kachabeswarar temple. The main deity here is Sri Kachabeswarar and Goddess Sri Anjanaakshi Ambaal.

Legend has it that while Devas and Asuras churned Paarkadal (the Mighty Ocean), Sri Aadhiseshan and a hill called Mandara Malai (மந்தர மலை) were used. To avoid the hill from sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu took the Avatar of a Tortoise (Koorma Avatar) on whose back (shell) the hill can rest while churning.

While he took this Avatar, He came and prayed Lord Shiva at this place, to give Him the strength to withstand the hill on His shell, till the churning is complete. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Vishnu in this place with the strength to withstand the weight of the hill. In Sanskrit, Kachaba means Tortoise. As Lord Vishnu prayed Lord Shiva in the form of Tortoise, Lord Shiva here came to be known as Sri Kachabeswarar.

Also this village got its name after this legend, as Thirukkachur.

The temple has another wonderful history behind it. Sri Sundaramurthy Naayanaar, who is one among the Naalvar, wanted to visit Sri Kachabeswarar here and had come by walk to this temple. When he reached the temple, it was noon time. Sri Sundarar sat in the temple and was too hungry.

Lord Shiva, not wanting to see His devotee suffering from hunger, appeared as an elderly Brahmin man and went to the houses of the village for Bhiksha (alms). To mark this incident, there is another small temple inside this village with a Shiva Lingam, where the Lord is called as Irandhiteeswarar (இரந்திட்டீஸ்வரர்). In Thamizh ‘Irandhu’ means ‘asking for alms’.

After collecting Bhiksha from various streets of the village, Lord Shiva came to Sri Sundarar and fed him with the food he got as Bhiksha. This is the only place where the Lord Himself performed Bhiksha to feed His devotee. Hence the Lord here is also called as ‘Virundhitteeswarar’ (விருந்திட்டீஸ்வரர்). Virundhu means ‘feast’ in Thamizh. There is a separate shrine for ‘Virundhitteeswarar’ at the northern Praakaaram of this temple. Sri Sundarar has composed 10 songs on the Lord here.

Though the main deity of this temple is Sri Kachabeswarar, this temple is popularly known as Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Temple. Sri Thyagarajar is the Urchavar here, who is in the form of Somaskandhar {Shiva, Uma (Parvathi) and Skandhar (Muruga) together}.

On the outer Praakaaram, Lord Vinayagar has a separate shrine at the south west side of the temple and is called as Sri Gnana Vinayagar. Lord Vinayagar shrine is made beautifully with excellent carvings on pillars and along the side of the steps.

Lord Muruga with Sri Valli, Sri Devayanai and Sri Bhairavar has separate shrines at the northern part of the temple.

There is a beautiful Stone Mandapam at the South side of the temple, which is used during Urchavams. A grand Nandhi is seen at the eastern side near Dwajasthambham facing the sanctum.

In front of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy shrine, there is a beautiful Stone Mandapam having 27 pillars with lovely carvings on them. This is called as Nakshathra Mandapam as these 27 pillars denote 27 stars. One of the pillars have the depiction of Lord Vishnu as Tortoise worshipping Lord Shiva. Another pillar has Sri Anjaneyar worshipping Lord Shiva, with flower on His right hand and a Pooja bell on his left hand.

After crossing this Mandapam, Ambaal shrine is seen, where Sri Anjanaakshi Ambaal is facing south. Sri Ambaal is tall and beautiful with wonderful grace on her face.

Through another entrance towards east, the main sanctum is reached. Appar, Sundarar, Sambandhar and Maanickavaasagar (the Naalvar) are seen praying the Lord outside the sanctum on the left. The sanctum is beautifully constructed with a Maha Mandapam having number of strong pillars. The entire stone structure had remained undisturbed for centuries. The entire place around the sanctum is so calm and cool. The main deity Sri Kachabeswarar is in the form of Shiva Lingam, which is said to be ‘Swayambhu’ (self evolved).

Around the Praakaaram of the sanctum, Lord Vinayagar and Sri Dhakshinamurthy are present facing the south. Sri Mahavishnu is present facing the west. Sri Brahma and Sri Durga are seen on the outer walls of sanctum facing north.

There stands a 16 pillared stone Mandapam outside the temple on the eastern side, at a distance.

All the pillars have exquisite carvings on them having both Saivite and Vaishnavite images, like Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva’s Oordhuva Thaandavam, Goddess Kamakshi embracing Shiva Lingam, Lord Shiva on Rishaba Vaahana and many more.

There is also a beautiful pond for this temple called ‘Koorma Theertham’, which is spread on a vast area and fully filled with water, giving a pleasant sight. The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is ‘Aala Maram’ (Banyan tree).

The Temple Chariot has a separate place (Theradi). But the Chariot is in dilapidated state, which makes the heart feel heavy.

Sivarathri and Pradhosham days are celebrated grandly at this temple. Brahmorchavam happens during the Thamizh month ‘Chithirai’. It is said that Lord Shiva (Urchavar) performs 18 forms of celestial dance (called Amirtha Thaandavam) during this festival, which is a boon to watch. This dance was believed to have performed by Lord Shiva as per the wish of Lord Vishnu, after the Gods churned out the Amirtham (celestial nectar) from the Paarkadal. Hence, this place had another name called “Nadana Vinodha Nallur’ in the past. ‘Nadana’ means dance in Thamizh.

There is also another temple near the hill of this village called ‘Sri Marundheeswarar Temple’.

A grand temple, a treasure in a small village.