Sri Mattrurai Varadeswarar temple

Overview

Tiruvasi Mattruraivaradeswarar Temple is located in Tiruvasi in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Tirupalasiramam.

About The Temple

The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Sundarar. This is the 62nd Lord Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery river praised in Thevaram hymns. Lord Shiva graces under a Rudraksha Pandal in the inner sanctum. Adhikara Nandhi-vehicle of Lord Shiva appears with His consort under the Rajagopuram-main tower. Planet Sun is with His consort Prathyusha Devi while the other planets are facing him.

There is a Sahasralinga Shrine in the prakara. The shrines of Lord Selva Vinayaka and Annamam Poigai are opposite the shrine of Mother Goddess Balambikai. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is called as Anugnai Vinayaka.The region was once called Mazhanadu ruled by Kolli Mazhavan. His daughter was suffering from a severe disease which could not be cured by any doctor of the time. The king simply left the daughter with the Lord to cure her and went away. Saint Tirugnanasambandar came to this place during his pilgrimage and found the suffering girl. The king explained to the saint the sick story of his daughter and begged him for remedy. Saint Sambandar sang ten verses (Pathigam) in praise of Lord Nataraja. Pleased with the prayer of the Saint, Lord Nataraja, relieved the disease of the princess as Muyalagan and danced on it. The princess was cured and stood upright.

Based on this event, Lord Nataraja appears here with His hair tied and dancing on a serpent. He is praised as Sarpa Nataraja.This is a rare darshan of the Lord.Mother Balambika was born as the daughter of a trader Kamalan and performed penance under the Vanni tree and married Lord Shiva. Mother Goddess is gracing in separate shrine facing west standing on a Lotus petal. The Dwarapalakis (woman securities) are worshipped by women tying the yellow thread with a cradle. It is believed that Goddess Ambica receives their appeals through them. During the Arthajama (night) pujas, it is first offered to Goddess Ambica and later to Lord Shiva. Mothers of new-born children and parents worried about children with Bala doshas perform abishek to Mother Goddess seeking Her grace for the well being of the children.

About The Deity

The presiding deity is lord Shiva. He is also called as Mattruraivaradar. His consort is known as Balambikai.

Legend and Stories

Saint Sundarar used to get gold from Lord Shiva to feed and maintain Shiva’s devotees following him. After worshipping the Lord in Tiruvanaika, he came to this temple and sang in praise of the Lord seeking gold. Lord Shiva kept mum. Angry Sundarar sang another Pathigam (ten verses) in a loud voice questioning whether there is one called Lord Shiva. Sundarar got the gold. Yet he was doubtful about its purity and was closely looking at it. Two men came there and asked the saint why he was looking at the gold. Sundarar sought their help in the valuation. One of them confirmed the purity of the metal while the other approved it. Both disappeared instantly. Sundarar sang again saying that he did not mean to doubt the Lord.Lord appeared before him and said that He alone was the assessor along with His companion was Lord Vishnu.Hence the Lord is named Mattru Urai Nather – God who confirmed the touch of gold – Mattru means the touch of the gold.

Festival

11 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam in May-June, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai Arudra Darshan in December-January and Thai Poosam in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

People pray to Lord Shiva by lighting lamps with Iluppai oil for family welfare and removal of evil effects surrounding the family and cure for Blood pressure, Diabetes, Coma, drug addiction. People also pray to Mother Goddess seeking child boon.

Nearby Place To Visit

Malaikottai Uchipillayar
Adhimooleswarar
Paraithurainathar
Nallandavar
Aamra Vaneswarar
Erumbeeswarar

Accessibility

Road

Tiruvasi is 13 kms from Tiruchi on the Salem route. Buses are available from Tiruchi Chathiram bus stand.

Railways

Trichy

Airport

Trichy

Temple Address

Sri Mattrurai Nathar Temple
Tiruvasi
Tiruchi District
Pincode - 621 216.