Mahimalai Chandramouleswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Mahimalai village,

Thanjavur District,

Tamil Nadu – 614401.

Moolavar

Chandramouleswarar

Amman

Annapoorani

Introduction

Mahimalai Chandramouleswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Located in the Mahimalai village, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Presiding deity is called as Chandramouleswarar and Mother is called as Annapoorani. That Mahimalai is the highest point of the world like the moon in the palm of our hand, and coming here to visit the third crescent is like directly visiting Lord Shiva.

Puranic Significance

Once Lord Shiva stayed in Kailayam. The Ambika playfully covered Lord Shiva’s eyes and immediately the world went dark. As the Panchabhoota are living beings, all movement has ceased. Stunned by the results, she took her hands. Everything started working normally again. This incident shows that everything is the movement of the Supreme Being. However, Ambika decided to worship God as she had become the cause of the world becoming like this and came to earth. Ambika appeared in human form and gathered all the devotees at one place and used to feed them as Annapoorani.

In this case, if you want to ask the Lord for a solution so that the world is not surrounded by darkness again, Ambika. Then she saw Agathiya Mamuni doing penance near a hill. That is this glorious Mahimalai. He immediately went there and narrated what had happened to Agathiyar. But is he or the universe dark? He said I don’t know. Ambika doubted that when all the crores of sages, yogis, and all the citizens of this world realized that the world had become dark, how could only Agathya Mamunivar be unable to do the same. Then he said that if a Swayambu lingam appears near the sage Agathiya on the Mahimalai with a bright crescent on his head, then there will never be darkness in the universe. The people there also worshiped Swayambu Lingam under the leadership of Agathiyar. A temple was built here later.

Beliefs

This place is famous for Third Crescent Darshan. Third crescent darshan removes previous sins. Women will have Mangalya strength. Power will increase. Confusion will disappear. Eyesight will be clear. Wealth will accumulate. Doshas like brahmahatti will be removed. And if you look at the third crescent that comes on Saturday, you will get all the benefits of worshiping the moon throughout the year. If you worship Chandramouleswarar, all the evils caused by the moon will be removed.

Special Features

Entering the temple, a sculpture of Lord Shiva Parvati Kailaya is installed in the front hall. Lord Nandi is seated in Mahamandapam. Outside the Artha Mandapam is Ganesha, and to the right is Murugan. There is also a Murugan shrine. Swayambu Murthy is standing in the sanctum next to Artha Mandapam. Annapoorani is seated towards the south in the Mahamandapam. Dakshinamurthy, Goddess Durga and Chandikeswarar can be visited in Goshta. There are separate shrines for Valli Deivanai Sametha Subramanya, Mahalakshmi, Navagraha, Bhairava, Chandran and Surya in the prakaram. They have installed a sculpture of Sudhai in the shape of a third crescent in this temple. The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old.