Sri Piravi Maundeeswarar Temple

Overview

Piravi Maundeeswarar temple is situated in Tiruthuraipoondi, Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The main deity here is Piravi Maundeeswarar and Amman is Brighannayaki Periyanayaki. This is a Star Temple.

About the Temple

Sri Piravi Maundeeswarar temple is the Ashwini star temple in Tamil Nadu and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main god faces west, an exception to the general system. It is an added importance and reputation of the temple that Lord Shiva is a Gajasamhara Murthy. Lord destroys meaningless fear in the minds of His followers and destroys their pride and arrogance. According to legend, the sages of Tharukavana came to a conclusion that Lord Shiva gains power only through Yagnas done by them. To teach them a lesson, Lord Shiva came to their place in the guise of a young handsome beggar. Their wives could not control their emotions and followed him madly. Lord Vishnu too appeared before the sages as a beautiful damsel whose beauty was beyond words. They followed this woman as madly as their wives did.

Soon the Rishis realized they had been fooled and wanted revenge. Through a Yagna, they created a ferocious elephant to kill Lord Shiva. But, the animal was killed by the Lord and used its skin as a blanket to cover His body. Hence, the Lord came to be known as Gajasamharamurthy. The sages let go of their pride, and surrendered to Him.

Legend and Stories

Though she belonged to the demon community, Jallika was a staunch follower of Shiva and was good natured. Virupakshan, her husband was cruel and wanted human flesh for his food. A young boy proceeding to Ganga to perform shradha (an annual ritual performed in memory of departed parents by sons) was devoured by Virupaksha and the latter died instantaneously.

Jallika begged to Lord Shiva in Tiruthuraipoondi saying that her husband was truly wicked and asked the Lord to give him back. Mother Periyanayaki appeared before her and restored both the boy and her husband to life. The boy asked the Mother why he was restored to life, to which she replied that those who respectfully perform shrardha to ancestors would be granted total salvation and placed in Heaven. Also she told Jallika that she would not allow any woman being deprived of her Mangalsutra, however wicked her husband was and promised to correct him.

Festivals

Grandly celebrated in the temple is Chithirai festival in April-May followed by Navarathri in September-October and Tiruvadhirai in December-January

Significance

Those born in Ashwini Nakshatra (star) pray here for relief from adverse planetary effects. Others pray for wedding, boon of child birth and education. Gods attributed with medical powers are prayed in this temple every day. Piravi (birth) Marundeeswarar helps one from the cycle of births and deaths and gives total salvation. Devotees are advised to visit this temple and perform Dhanvantri Homa (fire sacrifice) and Saneeswara Homa and worship Angaraka (planet Mars)

Nearby Place to Visit

Ponvaithanaathar

Swarnapureeswarar

Padaleswarar

Satchinathar

Sarguna Nathar

Kaichinneswarar

Accessibility

Railways

Tiruvarur

Airport

Trichy

Temple Address

Sri Piravi Marundeeswarar Temple,
Tiruthuraipoondi,
Tiruvarur district
Pincode -617 713.