Poovalur Thirumoolanathar Temple, Trichy

Address

Poovalur Thirumoolanathar Temple, Trichy

Poovalur, Trichy District,

Tamil Nadu 621712

Moolavar

Thirumoolanathar

Amman

Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki

Introduction

• Thirumoolanathar Temple is located at Poovalur, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu.
• Presiding deity: Thirumoolanathar / Gnanapureeswarar (Lord Shiva).
• Goddess: Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki.
• Theertham: Panguni Theertham.
• Sthala Vriksham: Bilva Tree.
• Revered by Arunagirinathar in his Thiruppugazh for Lord Subramanya.

Puranic Significance:

1. Resurrection of Manmatha:
   • Manmatha (God of Love) was reduced to ashes by Shiva for disturbing his meditation.
   • Rathi Devi prayed here and got Manmatha revived, making the place known as Poovalur (Poovai = Flower, representing Manmatha’s flower arrows).
2. Gnanapureeswarar:
   • Saptha Rishis gained wisdom by praying here, making Shiva known as Gnanapureeswarar.
3. Equivalent to Gaya:
   • A sage prayed at this temple and Shiva made the Phalguni River flow, allowing rituals for ancestors to be performed here, similar to Gaya.
4. Poovalur:
   • The place where Manmatha shot his flower arrows at Shiva, which made the location named after the flowers (Poovai).
5. Manmathapuram:
   • Also called Manmathapuram because Rathi Devi worshiped here to revive her husband Manmatha.
6. Worshipped by Devas:
   • Brahma, Manmatha, Indra, Chandra, and Agni are believed to have worshipped Shiva at this temple.
7. Place for Salvation:
   • It is considered a sacred place where Brahma, Indra, Agni, and Manmatha attained salvation.

Special Features:

1. Age & Architecture:
   • Over 1500 years old.
   • Temple Dimensions: 130 feet wide and 170 feet long.
   • Features a three-tiered tower, four prakara, and a beautiful Vimana.
   • Built in the Chola architectural style.
2. Deity and Shrines:
   • Presiding Deity: Thirumoolanathar / Gnanapureeswarar, a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested).
   • The sanctum houses a Shiva Linga called Moolanathar.
   • Mother: Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki, with a shrine facing south.
   • Shrines for Ganesha, Subramanya, Nandi, and Durga.
   • Lord Muruga: Worshipped by Arunagirinathar.
   • Nandi serves as the vahana (vehicle) for both Lord Shiva and Goddess Amman in this temple.
3. Koshta Murtis:
   • Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava, Brahma, Durga, and Nardana Ganapati.
   • The Dakshina Murti and Ganapati idols are ancient, while others are more recent.
4. Unique Features:
   • Maha Mandapam: Dedicated to the Mother Goddess, with a Shanmukha idol having 12 arms, seated on a peacock.
   • Theertham: Panguni Theertham, associated with the temple.
   • Sthala Vriksham: Bilva Tree.
   • The temple is associated with the Uttara Phalguni (Uthiram) star, and devotees born under this star visit to offer prayers.
5. Sub-Shrines:
   • Maha Lingam, Ganesha, Shiva Linga, 63 Nayanmars, Vellaivarana Vinayakar, Durga, Gaja Lakshmi, Jyeshta Devi, Nataraja-Sivakami, Dhandayuthapani, Bhairava, Saneeswara, and Navagraha shrines.
   • Chandikeswara and Chandikeswari are also present in the prakara.
6. Vaakkuvaalamman Temple:
   • A small temple dedicated to the village deity is located at the entrance of the main temple.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/03/thirumoolanathar-temple-poovalur-trichy.html

Century/Period

1500 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Poovalur

Nearest Railway Station

Trichy

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

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