Manathunai Nathar Temple

The Manathurnai Nathar Temple is located in Valivalam and is dedicated to God Manathunau Nathar. There is the story of a man though noted for his high character committed some sins. As a result, he was born as a Karikuruvi (black sparrow) in his next birth. This small bird had to face the harassment of bigger birds. In one such attack, it was wounded and bleeding. It flew and took shelter in the hole of a tree. A Shivayogi was teaching his disciples under the tree. The sparrow listened carefully. The yogi was telling his disciples, "Of all Shiva Sthalas (places) Madurai is great. Of the sacred springs, Pottramarai in the temple is great. Of Shiva Murthis, Chokkanathar is great. There is none to equal Madurai. The God Somasundara - Chokkanathar is all merciful granting boons to His devotees". Hearing this, the sparrow gained wisdom and enlightenment and understood the cause of its birth as a sparrow. The bird few to Madurai and circumambulated the temple and took a dip in the Pottramarai tank in the temple. It prayed to God Somasundara for three days. Pleased with the bird, the God called the bird and taught it the Mrutyunjaya Mantra. The bird was further enlightened. It appealed to Shiva to protect it from the attack of bigger birds as it was too tiny in size and prayed for strength to face such incidents. The God replied that it would be stronger than all bigger birds. The sparrow begged the boon for all sparrow species. It got the name Vallian (strong). Based on this event, the place came to be known as Valivalam. A hair of this sparrow came to this temple, worshipped Manathunai Nathar and attained salvation. The Sun God, Vallian, Sage Karanamamunivar, Pandavas, Kochengatcholan and saint Arunagiriar have worshipped God in this temple.