Tuesday Dec 03, 2024

Pon Vilaintha Kalathur Munkudumeeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Pon Vilaintha Kalathur Munkudumeeswarar Temple, P.V. Kalathur, Kanchipuram district– 603 405 Mobile: +91-97890 49704 / +91-99624 67355

Deity

Munkudumeeswarar Amman: Meenakshi

Introduction

  • Location: Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, 10 km from Chengalpet, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.
  • Deity: Lord Shiva, known as Munkudumeeswarar; Goddess Meenakshi Amman.
  • Specialty: Notable for the tuft (Kudumi) on the head of the Shivalinga.
  • Historical Background: The temple is believed to be over 1000 years old, built by Rajendra Chozhan.

Puranic Significance

  • Legend of Munkudumeeswarar:
    • A king, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, would receive Prasadam daily from the temple.
    • One day, while waiting for the king, the priest’s flowers got mixed with the queen’s hair, leading to a misunderstanding.
    • To prove the priest’s innocence, the king demanded to see if the Lord had a tuft of hair.
    • The next day, the priest discovered a tuft on the Shiva Lingam, confirming the divine mercy and leading to the deity being named Munkudumeeswarar.
  • Village Name Origin:
    • The village name “Pon Vilaintha Kalathur” translates to “gold harvested” due to a legend involving Vedanta Desikar, who witnessed gold where a white horse had run.

Beliefs

  • Devotee Practices:
    • Those seeking mental peace or relief from deception pray here.
    • After receiving blessings, devotees often perform Abhishekam and offer clothing and special poojas.

Special Features

  • Deity Representation:
    • Munkudumeeswarar faces east, with Nandhikeswara present in front of the sanctum.
    • Goddess Meenakshi Amman has a separate shrine facing south.
  • Architectural Highlights:
    • Koshta Deities: Brahma, Dhakshinamurthy, and Durga surround the sanctum.
    • Shrines: Anukkai Vinayaka, Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Kalabhairava, and Navagraha in the corridor.
    • Sculptures: Beautiful carvings on the mandapam pillars, including a Panchamuga (5-headed) Lingam.
  • Nandhi:
    • A majestic Nandhi statue faces the sanctum, with strong pillars suggesting it once had a Nandhi Mandapam.
  • Surroundings:
    • The temple is set in a vast area amidst serene paddy fields, protected and maintained by the Archaeological Department.

Festivals

  • Key Festivals:
    • Brahmotsavam: March-April (Panguni)
    • Chitra Poornima: April-May
    • Aadipooram: July-August
    • Annabishekam: October-November (Iyppasi)
    • Navarathri: September-October (Purattasi)
    • Skanda Sashti: October-November
    • Thirukarthigai: November-December
    • Shivarathri: May-June (Vaikasi)
    • Thiruvadirai: December-January (Margazhi)

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Ottivakkam

Nearest Railway Station

Pon Vilaintha Kalathur

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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