Muttam Nageswarar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Muttam, Coimbatore District,

Tamil Nadu 641109

Moolavar

Nageswarar

Amman

Muthu Vali Amman

Introduction

Muttam is around 30 Kms from Coimbatore on the way to Poondy (route to the well known Vellingiri Hills, the abode of Lord Shiva and popularly known as Dakshina Kailash). One has to get down at Kottaikadu bus stop and walk. The temple is that of Shri Muthuvali Ambal sametha Shri Nageswarar. (Muttam in Tamil means a flat stretch of land ends at a point beyond which one should not proceed. Here, it ends at the foot hills of Vellingiri and hence the name).

Puranic Significance

Muttam is the place at the foothills of Vellingir in Coimbatore district praised as Kailas of the South – Thenkayilai. This is the origin of Kanchima Nadhi. It flows through Perur a famous Shivasthala in Tamilnadu. It joins Noyyal here and runs up to Karur. According to historical evidences, Chola kings built 36 Shiva temples beginning from Muttam up to Karur. Epigraphically details reveal that the place was earlier known as Amara Puyanga Nallur Chaturvedhi Mangalam surrounded by forests and a fort. There was also a tank nearby. The temple is an outstanding example of temple architecture. The beauty of the temple once in its heights during the Chera and Chola rules began to decay due to neglect, impact of other religions, British rule and confusions that arose about the grant of lands. All Brahmins in the place migrated to other places. The holy place turned into a jungle region with bushes.

This is believed to be the first of such temples. It is on the banks of Kanchama Nadhi, a forest stream flowing from the Vellingiri Hills. It is one of the old trading posts between Pandya and Chera Kingdoms. The temple must have been built over 1000 years ago. It is believed that for construction of the Perur temple, funds were provided by this temple! Though it had received extensive patronage from all the Tamil kingdoms (as evidenced by the symbols of all the three kingdoms seen in this temple), it fell on bad days and for quite some time, the temple was covered in wild bushes. A few decades back, a committee was formed to bring it back to its past glory. The main person who took the initiative was Shri I Ramaswamy, a scholar from this area. He discovered the ruins and took initiative for restoration. In 1998, consecration was done and the temple is now being visited regularly by devotees. The latest consecration was done in 2011.

Beliefs

It is advised that those under the adverse impact of planets Ragu and Ketu worship in the temple for necessary remedies. Devotees light deepas in the Adisesha pillar on the Karthikai deepam festival day.

Special Features

There is a serpent symbol on the Sivalinga. All pujas are performed in the temple only in classical Tamil.

This is a kshetra where Rahu and Ketu prayed to the Lord. Hence the Deepa Stampa of the temple is having an image of the 5 headed serpents. On the Thirukarthikai Day (Nov-Dec), lamps are lit on this Deepa Stampa. Even on the body of the Lingam, there are marks of a serpent. It is also believed that a serpent comes from Kanchama Nadhi area and worships the Lord during mid night. The Naga Kannikas are believed to bring water from Kanchama Nadhi and perform Abhisheka to the Lord. The old Lingam was square in shape, unlike the usual round shape. It was damaged over a period of time. Later, a round shaped Lingam was installed above this square one with a serpent offering the hood as shade above the Lord. He is called both Nageswarar and Nagalingeswarar.

The Ambal, Muthuvali Amman, is one of the most beautiful idols of the Mother ever carved. There is also a belief that the sculptor who had sculpted Madurai Meenakshi idol was the one who did the work here. This Ambal is believed to be of the Tripurari aspect of Parvathi. She holds a Neelotpava flower in one hand, an ornament known as Pariakam on hands, Katakam on shoulders, ear rings, nose rings and rings in the fingers. There is also a beautiful Oddiyanam (belt) on the waist of the Mother with intricate design! There are separate shrines for Vinayakar, Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Bhairavar and Navagrahams.