Ariyamangai Hari Muktheeswarar Temple, Thanjavur (Ariyamangai)

Address

Ariyamangai Hari Muktheeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Ayyampettai, Thanjavur district,

Tamil Nadu 614201

Moolavar

Hari Muktheeswarar

Amman

Gnanambika

Introduction

The Hari Muktheeswarar Temple, located in Ariyamangai (also known as Harimangai) in the Papanasam Taluk of Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The Hari Muktheeswarar Temple in Ariyamangai holds significant religious and cultural importance, with its connection to the Saptha Matrikas and its annual celebration of Navarathri. Devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and the Divine Mothers, especially during the festive season and special occasions.

Puranic Significance

The Hari Muktheeswarar Temple is believed to be approximately 1500 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Hari Muktheeswarar.
The temple is associated with a unique mythological account, where Mother Parvathi, along with Maheswari, worshipped Lord Shiva and had the divine darshan of the Ganga. This event is reenacted every year on the second day of Navarathri (Dwithiyai).

Origin of the Name “Ariyamangai”:

The name Ariyamangai is derived from a mythological story. Mahalakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) came to this place and took a bath in the Sathya Ganga Theertham, which is now known as Hari Theertham. She engaged in rigorous penance to Lord Shiva and subsisted solely on Arunellikai fruits. Her devotion was to secure a boon from Lord Shiva that she should always remain by the side of Lord Vishnu. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva granted her the boon. As “Hari” refers to Lord Vishnu and “Mangai” means “woman” or “consort,” this place came to be called Hari Mangai, which eventually evolved into Ariya Mangai.

Special Features

Saptha Mangai Sthalams:

Ariyamangai is one of the seven shrines associated with the Saptha Matrikas (Seven Divine Mothers) in the Ayyampettai/Pasupathi Koil region in the Thanjavur–Papanasam (Kumbakonam) route. Each temple is linked to one of the Saptha Matrikas and represents a specific aspect of Lord Shiva.

Navarathri Worship:

The Saptha Matrikas are worshiped during Navarathri, the nine-day festival dedicated to the Divine Mother.
On each day of Navarathri, the Universal Mother, along with one of the Saptha Matrikas, offers worship at one of the seven Saptha Mangai Sthalams. Each day is associated with a unique darshan of various aspects of Lord Shiva.

Sthala Vriksham and Theertham:

The sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham) in the temple premises is the Nelli (gooseberry) tree.
The sacred Theertham is known as Hari Theertham.

Festivals

The temple celebrates several significant festivals, including:
- Mahasivarathri in February-March.
- Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November.
- Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January.