Thiruvavaduthurai Sri Gomuktheeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Diety: Gomuktheeswarar, Masilamaneeswarar Amman: Oppillamulaiyammai, Athulyakujambal,
Temple Address: Thiruvavaduthurai Sri Gomuktheeswarar Temple, Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam, Thiruvavaduthurai Post, Kuthalam Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 803. Tele: +91 4364 232 021 and 232 055.
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Masilamaniswara Temple is dedicated to god Shiva, located in the village Thiruvaduthurai, located 22 km from the South Indian town, Kumbakonam and 14 km from Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. The temple is referred to in the verses of Tevaram, the 7th century.The temple has three water bodies located at various places inside the temple. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam is located in the premises outside the fourth precinct. Theertham (Holy water): Gomukthi Theertham, Padma Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Padar Arasu (Peepal tree)

Puranic Significance

The historical names of this place are Nandhinagar, Navakoti Siddharpuram, Arasavanam, Bothivanam, Gokazhi, Thuraisai and Gomuktinagar. Thiruvavaduthurai is the place where the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam is situated. This is one of the oldest Shiva Mutts and it manages a number of charitable endowments. It has many Shiva temples under its administrative control. It is to be noted that Mutts like Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam are the reason why many Shiva temples in the southern region are still cared for and have regular poojas. The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of the Chola Kings Paranthakan-I to Rajarajadevan. Other inscriptions dating to the period of Kings Mara Varman and Vikrama Pandiyan can also be seen.Goddess Parvathi as a cow The legend is that once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi were playing a game of dice. At the end of each game, Lord Shiva intentionally made Goddess Parvathi win. After successive wins, her joy slowly turns into arroganace. Seeing her vanity and excessive pride, Lord Shiva cursed her to be born as a cow on earth. When she pleaded for pardon, Lord Shiva advised her that the curse will end after she performs penance at Thiruvavaduthurai. Goddess Parvathi, in the form of a cow, worshipped Lord Shiva by pouring milk in form of an abhishekam on the lingam. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her and lifted the curse. By worshiping Lord Shiva here, Goddess Parvathy was relieved of the curse that had turned her into a cow. For this reason, Lord Shiva is praised here as “Sri Gomukti Easwarar” (“Go” means cow and “Mukti” means relief in Sanskrit). The name Thiruvavaduthurai is arrived at in the following manner – in Tamil, “Thiru” a respectful prefix, “Aa” means cow, “Adu” means remove and “thurai” means river bank (river Cauvery in this case).

Beliefs

Women pray for the safety and longevity of their husbands. It is also believed that worshiping Lord Shiva here will result in the reunion of estranged couples. Since King Musukunda was blessed with a child, it is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here. Devoees can also pray to this lord for removal of obstacles from their wedding proposals.

Special Features

At Therezhunthur, Lord Shiva cursed Goddess Parvathy which made her turn into a cow. Lord Mahavishnu played the role of a shepherd here. At Thirukkozhambam, Goddess Parvathy, who was in the form of a cow, worshiped Lord Shiva. During the worship, as the cow’s leg hit Lord Shiva by mistake, its hoof made a mark on the lord’s chest. At Thiruvaduthurai, again Goddess Parvathy (in the form a cow) worshiped Lord Shiva. It is here that Goddess Parvathy was relieved of her curse and got restored to her original form. At Thiruthuruthi (Kuthalam), Sage Bharatha performed a yagna and it is believed that Goddess Parvathy came out of the fire in the form of a child. At Ethirkolpadi, Lord Shiva was received as a groom by his father-in-law, Sage Bharatha. At Thiruvelvikudi, the wedding ceremony including the yagna (“Velvi”) was performed. This is the great place where the earthly wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy took place. At Thirumanancheri, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy granted their wedding darshan to everyone. In the corridor, three idols of Lord Suryan are placed together. Getting such a darshan of Lord Suryan is very rare. The lord of this temple is praised in Thiruvasagam and Thiruvisaippa also (parts of 12 Thirumurai). Beautiful stone reliefs of King Narasingan and his minister can be seen either side of the Nandhi Mandap.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Brahmmotsavam in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct); Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct – Nov); Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan); Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar); and Rathasaptami is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) in a grand manner. On the 5th day of this festival, the event of Sambanthar receiving the golden purse is celebrated. Pradosham is also observed regularly.