Melur Sri Thirumanangeeswarar Temple (Thiruvudai Amman Temple), Thiruvallur

Address

Sri Thirumanangeeswarar Temple (Thiruvudai Amman Temple), Melur, Minjur Town, Thiruvallur District – 601203.

Diety

Thirumanangeeswarar AMMAN: Thiruvudai Amman

Introduction

Thirumanangeeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Melur Village near Minjur Town in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is famously known as Thiruvudai Amman Temple. This temple is one of the Three Sakthi Temples. Thiruvudai Amman is known as Ichcha Sakthi (the Devi who will fulfill devotees wishes). The other two temples are Vadivudai Amman Temple in Thiruvottriyur. Vadivudai Amman known as Gnana Sakthi (the Devi who will bless us with knowledge) and the other is Kodiyidai Amman Temple in Thirumullaivoyal. Kodiyidai Amman known as Kriya Sakthi (the Devi who assists us in all our actions). The form of the Devi in all three temples is identical. This is an east facing small temple with an entrance arch. The temple complex consists of two parts; Ambal sannidhi is in front and the Shivan sannidhi is behind. One of the three important Sakthi Temples located near Chennai, it is considered auspicious to get darshan of all the three Sakthi’s one after the other on the same day, especially on a full moon day & if possible on a full moon day which falls on a Friday.

Puranic Significance

Thirumanangeeswarar: This place was once a forest filled with trees and shrubs with sweet-smelling flowers and was known as Suganda Vanam (Suganda-indicating sweet smelling, Vanam-forest). A rich man found his cow showering its milk into a shrub which was in the form of a Shivalingam and a snake consuming the milk and going inside. He covered this Swayambu Lingam with an armour and started worshiping the Lord as Sungandavaneswaran. In due course the name changed to Thirumanangeeswarar, supposedly a Tamil name. One of the Tri Sakthi Temple: For having playfully closed the eyes of Lord Shiva for three seconds and thus darkening the world. For this sin, Lord Shiva cursed his consort Parvati to be borne in the world thrice (Icha Sakthi, Gnana Sakthi and Kriya Sakthi) after which he will appear and marry her again. This is the story behind the three temples. The divine wedding is also believed to have happened here. The form of the Amman in all three temples (others are Thiruvotriyur and Thirumullaivoyal) are identical and sculpted by the same sculptor. Mother is called as Thiruvudai Amman and is facing south. Amman Shrine has been recently rebuilt with cement. The Ambal is about 5 feet tall and she is in standing posture. There is a snake pit in front of the Ambal sannidhi and portrait of Iccha Shakthi can be seen below the snake pit. Presiding Deity is called as Thirumanangeeswarar and is facing east. The lingam is a Swayambu lingam of sand putru and is being given a silver covering. It is rare to see Lord Brahma as seen here with moustache and beard. Shrines of Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Suryan, Bairavar and Veerabhadrar can be found in the prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is a Peepal tree arising from a mango tree.

Beliefs

It is considered auspicious to get darshan of all three Sakthi’s one after the other on the same day, especially on a full moon day & if possible on a full moon day which falls on a Friday. • Melur Thiruvudai Amman Temple – In the morning. • Thiruvottriyur Vadivudai Amman Temple – In afternoon. • Thirumullaivoyal KodiyidaiAmman Temple – In the evening.