Poovalur Thirumoolanathar Temple, Trichy

Address

Poovalur, Trichy District,

Tamil Nadu 621712

Moolavar

Thirumoolanathar

Amman

Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki

Introduction

Thirumoolanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Poovalur in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thirumoolanathar / Gnanapureeswarar and Mother is called as Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki. Theertham associated with this temple is Panguni Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Bilva Tree. Arunagirinathar has revered Subramanya of this temple in his verses in Thiruppugazh

Puranic Significance

Resurrection of Manmatha:

This Temple is especially connected with the legend of Manmathan. Shiva had burnt Manmatha to ashes after he tried to divert his attention by aiming arrows of love at him. A grief struck Rathi Devi prays to Shiva to restore her husband back to life. It is here that Rathi Devi got back Manmatha, the God of Love, by praying to Thirumoolanathar. As Manmathan is believed to have sugarcane bow and flower arrow, he is also known as Poovaliyan and this place came to be known as Puvaliur which in due course, became Puvalur or Poovalur

Gnanapureeswarar:

It is also believed that the Saptha Rishis got Knowledge after praying here and hence the Lord is called Gnanapureeswarar.

Equivalent to Gaya:

Another legend relates to the river Phalguni flowing near the temple. A rishi wanted to perform rituals for his ancestors. As there was no river at that time, he thought of performing it at Gaya. Before leaving this place, he prayed to Shiva in this temple and the Lord threw his anklet (Silambu in Tamil) and Ganges started flowing. Hence those who are unable to proceed to Gaya for Sraddha ceremony, perform it here. This legend is similar to the legend in Samavedeeswarar temple in Thirumangalam

Poovalur:

As per the legend, the Devas sought help of Manmatha (Kamadeva) to awaken Shiva, who was in deep meditation. They wanted Shiva to protect them by fighting the Asuras. As they did not have guts to approach the Lord themselves, they persuaded Manmatha to perform this task. Manmatha released flower arrows from his bow aiming at Shiva. The flowers hit Shiva and he turned very furious. He opened his third eye and turned Manmatha into ashes. It is believed that Manmatha released his flower arrows from this village and hence this village is called as Poovalur. The word “Poo” in Tamil language means the flower.

Manmathapuram:

Manmatha s wife Rathi worshiped Shiva in this village and got him back alive. Hence, this village is also called as Manmathapuram.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Brahma, Manmatha, Indra, Chandra and Agni also worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

Place for Salvation:

This is also an ancient temple where Brahma, Indra, Agni and Manmathan attained salvation.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. The main temple measures 130 feet width and 170 feet length facing east and there are four prakara. The east facing temple has three-tiered tower. The temple complex is big. The Gopura as well as the Vimanas of various shrines and the sanctum look very attractive. From the architectural style, we could assume that the temple belongs to the Chola period. Presiding Deity is called as Thirumoolanathar / Gnanapureeswarar and is facing east. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy. The east facing sanctum with a beautiful vimana enshrines the moderate sized Shiva Linga called as Moolanathar. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapam, the small idols of Ganesha and Subramanya are found. Nandi is found in the Maha Mandapam and another Nandi idol is found near the flag staff. Dhwajastambha Ganapati is a small Murti found near the flag staff.

Nardana Ganapati, Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are found as the Koshta Murtis. Dakshina Murti and Ganesh look ancient though the other idols appear to be sculpted in the recent past. Mother is called as Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki and is facing south. The south facing shrine with a big front side Maha Mandapam enshrines the beautiful idol of the Goddess Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki.

A small idol of Shanmukha with 12 arms seated on peacock along with his two consorts in a separate shrine is found in the Maha Mandapam of Amman shrine. Lord Muruga of this temple was sung by Saint Arunagirinathar. Unlike the temple of Northern Tamil Nadu, Nandi is the vahana of Amman in this temple. Hence, Nandi is found facing towards the shrine of Amman. Theertham associated with this temple is Panguni Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Bilva Tree

As per the tradition, some specific temples are connected with certain stars. This temple is associated with the Uttara Phalguni (Uthiram) star and hence those who are born in this star offer prayers in this temple. Vaakkuvaalamman, a small temple for the village deity of the village, is located at the entrance of the main temple. The big prakara around the two main shrines have many pillars with interesting sculptures.

Also, there are many sub-shrines and idols located in this prakara. They are Maha Lingam shrine, Ganesha, Shiva Linga and 63 Nayanmars, Vellaivarana Vinayakar shrine (there are two Ganapatis in this shrine), Durga in a separate shrine, Gaja Lakshmi and Jyeshta Devi in adjacent shrines, Nataraja-Sivakami shrine, Dhandayuthapani shrine, Bhairava, Saneeswara idols, Navagraha – Surya alone is found with his consorts, Chandikeswara near the Koshta of Brahma, Chandikeswari, the female form of Chandikeswara, in the prakara of Amman.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/03/thirumoolanathar-temple-poovalur-trichy.html