Sri Mukthialeeswarar Temple, Perumukkal

Address

Sri Mukthialeeswarar Temple, Perumukkal Mountain, Perumukkal, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu 604154 Mobile: +91 94428 98395 / 97877 03262

Diety

Mukthialeeswarar, Thiruvanmikai Eeswaramudaiyar Amman: Gnanambigai

Introduction

Mukthialeeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Perumukkal Village near Tindivanam Town in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is situated at the top of the Perumukkal Hills. Presiding Deity is called as Mukthialeeswarar / ThiruvanmikaiEeswaramudaiyar / ThirumalaimelUdaiyar / PerumukkalUdaiyar / Thiruvanmeeswaramudaiyaan and Mother is called as Gnanambigai.The Temple had originally been built in brick, was converted to a stone temple during the period of VikramaChola (1118-35 CE). The temple is under the control of Archaeology survey of India (ASI). There are two ways to reach this hillock temple, both from the front and back side of Perumukkal Hills. Perumukkal Hills was also called as Thirumalai, Gnanamalai and Mukyasailam during ancient times.

Puranic Significance

This temple, which had originally been built in brick, was converted into a stone temple during the period of VikramaChola (1118-35 CE). The donations made by the Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayars, Kadavarayas, Vijayanagara rulers have been recorded in more than 60 inscriptions found on the temple walls. Oldest inscription found in this Temple belongs to UthamaChola. Most of the other inscriptions belongs to KulotungaChola and VikramaChola. The Temple was reconstructed in granite by VikramaChola. This Village was called as JayamkondaChozhaMandalathuOymaNaadanaVijayaRajendraValanaatuPerumukillanaGangai Konda Nallur during Later Cholas Period. The Village might be renamed during RajendraChola I, remembering his Gangetic expedition. Idol of KakkuNayagan, who has done many donations for the reconstruction, Idol of Periyan Thiruvanaana Sirthondan, chief architect and Idol of Thiru Chitrambalamudaiyan Anbarkkarasu Bhattan can be found in the Temple premises. There is a unique inscription belongs to Chola period about open tender for Temple renovations can be seen here. Another inscription talks about group worship called AramirangaNaatuSanthi for the welfare of country. There is a belief that Nandasiriyan, a renowned Ajivika Saint contemporary to the famous Sangam period Pandya emperor ThalaiyaalanganathuSeruVendra Neduchezhiyan Pandiyan, attained Mukthi here. Hence Lord Shiva of this Temple is called as Mukthialeeswarar. Also, MailamPommapura Aadheenam BalaSiddhar Balayogi also performed penance on Lord Mukthialeeswarar here. In 1906 AD, Sri Chandrasekarar, the 66th Peedathipathi of Shankara Madam was performing his Chaturmasya Viradha in Mukthialeeswarar Temple. A Child named Swaminathan came to worship Kanchi Shankaracharya along with his parents. Kanchi Shankaracharya impressed with his devotion and knowledge. Kanchi Shankaracharya nominated that Kid as 68th Peedathipathi of Shankara Madam in few years. He is none other than Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

Festivals

Maha Shivarathri and Monthly Pradoshams are celebrated here with much fanfare. People circumbulate the hill (Girivalam) during Pournami Days. Maha Deepam is lit on the top of hill during Karthigai Deepam.