Maruthavancheri Manunadeeswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Maruthavancheri Manunadeeswarar Temple, Maruthavancheri, Nannilam Circle, Thiruvarur district- 609 503 Phone: ++91 94439 73346, 99432 28987, 96774 86180

Deity

Manunadeeswarar Amman: Manicka Shivakamasundari

Introduction

Location: Maruthavancheri Village, near Koothanur, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Presiding Deity: Lord Shiva, referred to as Manunadeeswarar.
Mother Deity: Manicka Shivakamasundari.
Age: Believed to be around 1,000 years old.
Proximity:
- 4.5 km from Koothanur (from Kumbakonam, take a right to reach the temple).
- 4 km from Koothanur.
- 5 km from Poonthottam.
- 24 km from Thiruvarur.
- 126 km from Trichy Airport.

Puranic Significance

Historical Background:
- Emperor Manu established a meditation center here after visiting Thiruveezhimizhalai and performed severe penance.
- The place was originally known as Manu Thavanjer.
- The lingam he installed is worshipped as Manunadeeswarar.
- While donating land and houses to 100 Brahmins, Manu fell short by two. Lords Vishnu and Shiva disguised as Brahmins received the donations and blessed him.
- The temple is mentioned in the literature called Thejineevana Mahatmiyam.

Special Features

Temple Orientation: The temple faces west.
Deity Orientation:
- Manunadeeswarar (Lord Shiva) faces west.
- Manicka Shivakamasundari (Mother) faces south.
Temple Tank: A large temple tank is located to the north of the temple.
Additional Shrines:
- Jayadurga
- Saneeswara
- Bhairava
- Surya
- Chandikeswara
- Dakshinamurthy
- Maha Ganapathi
- Balasubramanya
Theertham: Manu Theertham.
Sthala Vriksham: Pavizhamalli (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis).
Renovation: The temple has been recently renovated.

Festivals

Celebrations:
- Chitra Poornima (April-May)
- Vaikasi Visakam (May-June)
- Aadi Pooram (July-August)
- Vinayaka Chathurthi (August-September)
- Navarathri (September-October)
- Maha Shivrathri (February-March)