Tirupalli Mukkudal Sri Mukkona Natheswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety: Thirunethranathar / Mukkona Nathar  Amman: Mayilmevum Kanni / Anjakshi.
Temple Address: Tirupalli Mukkudal  Sri Mukkona Natheswarar Temple, thirupallimukudal, thekkarai post, tiruvarur-610002 PH:9865844677
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Thirunethranathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirupalli Mukkudal in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The historical name of the place is Kekkarai. Presiding Deity is called as Thirunethranathar / Mukkona Nathar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Mayilmevum Kanni / Anjakshi. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. Theertham is Shodasa (Mukkudal) Theertham. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Thirunavukkarasar. This is the 203rd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 86th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thala Virutcham : Vilwa Theertham : Shodasa (Mukkodal) Theertham

Puranic Significance

Jatayu, an unforgettable character in epic Ramayana who laid his life in the service of Lord Sri Rama performed penance on Lord Shiva here seeking His grace to help him simultaneously bathe in Kasi (now Varanasi) and Rameswaram and attain salvation. Pleased with his penance and his noble aim, Lord appeared before him and said that he would be fighting with Ravana to rescue Mother Sita from his abduction attempt when his wings would be cut off by Ravana. When he would be in acute pain, Sri Rama will come there and that he would be giving the information about the direction Sita was taken by Ravana. Jatayu would fall at His feet and attain salvation. Jatayu asked back how he would be able to fly and bathe in Kasi and Rameswaram if his wings were cut off by Ravana. Lord replied saying that Jatayu wanted only one Sethu Samudra Sanana but bathing in the tank of this temple was equal to bathing in 16 Sethu Snana ghats. It is said that this tank was dug by Lord Vinayaka during Brungi Maharshi period. This Theertham-tank is equal to the Triveni confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi, hence praised as Mukkudal meaning the confluence of three theerthams. A Chola king who was on hunting had to stay here for a night. He had the habit of taking the dinner only after Lord Shiva worship. The horseman made a Linga of the Kollu bag (the grain for horses) and enabled the king to do his Shiva puja before dinner. When he later tried to take the bag, he could not as it became a real Shivalinga, according to the history of the place.

Beliefs

Bathing in the tank of the temple and worshipping Lord continuously for 12 new moon days (Amavasya) will bring in effective relief to those facing delays in wedding and adverse aspects on children, it is firmly believed by the devotees. Devotees perform abishek to Lord offering vastras. They also offer oil for lighting lamps in the temple permanently. There are 12 wells in the temple tank. The devotee derives the benefit of bathing in the Maha Magam tank if he/she bathes here. Also bathing in this temple for 12 new moon days without a break will relieve the devotees of delays in their weddings and also concerns about the welfare of children.

Special Features

The Temple is east facing with one Praharam. There is no Rajagopuram and Kodimaram. Presiding Deity is called as Mukkona Nathar / Thirunethranathar / Mukkudal Nathar. Lord of the temple is a Swayambu Murthy. The Lingam has a highly polished appearance. Rays of Sun God fall on the Lord on Masi Shivarathri day in February-March. Mother is called as Anjakshi / Mayilmevum Kanni and she is facing east. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. There are sculptures of the presiding deity, Lord Sri Rama, Jatayu, Kanni Vinayaka and Subramanya at the top side of the front entrance. Nandi, facing the Sanctum has turned its head slightly. The Moorthis of Ganapathi, Subramanya and Lakshmi in the Prakara are extraordinarily beautiful. Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi, Suryan & Chandran (In one place), Nagar, Bairavar, Saneeswarar and Valli can be seen in this Temple. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are the Koshta idols. Theertham is Mukkudal Theertham, known by the name Shodasa Sethu, is considered on par with Allahabad Triveni Sangamam. There are 12 wells in the temple tank. The devotee derives the benefit of bathing in the Maha Magam tank if he/she bathes here. Also bathing in this temple for 12 new moon days without a break will relieve the devotees of delays in their weddings and also concerns about the welfare of children. There is a Ramaswamy temple behind this Shivastalam.

Festivals

Besides all Lord Shiva related festivals, three new moon days in Aadi (July-August), Thai (JanuaryFebruary) and Mahalaya in Purattasi (September-October) are celebrated in the temple with special abisheks and pujas.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Thirunavukarasar

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Best Time

காலை 11மணி முதல் பகல் 12 மணி வரை

Accommodation

Kumbakkonam

Consecration (Kumbhishekam)

June 2012

Nearest Bus Station

Thirupallimukudal

Nearest Railway Station

Kumbakkonam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

Videos

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