Thiru Thilathaipathi (Sethalapathi) Sri Madhimuktheswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thiru Thilathaipathi (Sethalapathi) Sri Madhimuktheswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety

Muktiswarar (Mandaravaneswarar) Amman: Porkodinayaki, Suvarnavalli, Maragathavalli

Introduction

Muktheeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Sethalapathy in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mathi Muktheeswarar / Thilathaimathimukthar / Mutheesar / Mandara Vaneswarar with his consort Goddess Porkodinayaki / Suvarnnavalli / Marakathavalli. Sthala Vriksham is Mandaram. Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Arasalaru and Chandra Theertham. In India 7 places are considered as special or important place for performing Last Rites. They are Kasi, Rameswaram, Gaya, Thiriveni Sangamam, Srivanchiyam, Thiruvengadu and Thilatharpanpuri. The important deity of this temple is “Nara Mukha Ganapathy” in a separate shrine at the entrance of the temple. This Vinayaga has a human face here and nowhere can we see Vinayaga in this form. Normally we know Vinayaga only with Elephant Head, but in this temple, Lord Vinayaga is seen with Human Head and called as “Adhi Vinayagar”. Hence the temple is known by Nara Ganapathi rather than by the main deity’s name in recent times. Theertham (Holy water): Surya Theertham, Chandra Theertham and river Arisilaru Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Mantharai tree

Puranic Significance

The temple is situated on the southern banks of the river Arisilaru which is flowing in the north to south direction. Rivers flowing in such direction are called “Uthiravahini”. The historical names of this place are Thilathai Pathi and Thilatharpanapuri. However, now it is known as Sethalapathy. The historical name of the temple is Madhimutham.The legend is that once Lord Brahma fell in love with the celestial angel Urvasi. For this reason, he was cursed by Lord Shiva to go to the earth and worship him. It is believed that Brahma visited Thilatharpanapuri and performed rigorous penance. Lord Shiva granted him darshan and relieved him from the curse. Lord Ram and Lakshmana are believed to have learnt about the news of their father King Dasaratha’s demise here. They performed the “Thila Tharpanam” for their father here. “Thilam” means gingili seeds and “Tharpanam” means performing rites in Tamil. “Thila Tharpanam” is a ceremony that is offered to departed ancestors by male descendants. It is also believed that Lord Ram performed this rites for his affectionate bird “Jatayu” (Jatayu is the king of vultures) here. The idol of Lord Ram with four lingams can be seen in the corridors. The legend is that when Lord Ram performed “Thila Tharpanam”, he kept four rice balls (Pindam) which later became the four lingams. Lord Ram’s idol is quite unique – he can be seen sitting on his right leg and performing the rites. Since the lord is believed to have been given salvation to Lord Ram’s father here, the lord is praised as Sri Muktheeswarar (“Mukthi” means salvation in Tamil). This is the reason why this place also gets the name “Thila Tharpana Puri”, which was later changed to Sethalapathy. Another legend associated with this place is that of a king from Banaras (Kasi) called Narchothi. The king wanted to perform the ritual ceremony for his deceased father. However, he wanted to offer food (pindam) to his ancestors directly. He tried travelling to many places but his offering was not accepted anywhere. It is believed that in this place his “Thila Tharpanam” offer was finally accepted by his ancestors. Hence this place is considered to be very auspicious to perform the ritual ceremonies for departed ancestors. It is believed that Goddess Parvathy, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Brahma, Lord Suryan, Lord Chandran and king Narchothi have worshiped Lord Shiva here. It is also believed that an elephant and a lion have worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Beliefs

Similar to Rameswaram, performing rituals for ancestors here is considered to be of great significance. This is a parihara sthalam for “Pithru Dosha”.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 58 Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is a famous “parihara sthalam” for conducting ancestral rites similar to that performed it in Rameswaram. This east facing temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3 tiers. However, the back side of the tower is flat (without any reliefs). The temple has a single corridor. The sanctum’s tower is called “Dhuvithala Vimanam”. The last consecration (Kumbabishekam) ceremony took place on 08.07.2012 and prior to that on 25.08.1999. Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar with Sivakami, Ram, Lakshman, the Lingams worshiped by Ram, Kasi Visvanathar, Nagar, Gajalakshmi, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalvar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the corridors. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum) , idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai can be seen. A small shrine for Lord Mandaravaneswarar (Lord Shiva) can be seen under the temple’s sthala viruksham (Manthara tree).

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec). Pradosham is also observed regularly. Special poojas are also performed on new moon days.