Manathunai Natheshvarar Temple

Overview

This temple is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal petha sthalams and also one of the Thiruppugazh sthalams of God Muruga, Sun, Valian, Sage Karanamamunivar, Pandavas, Kochengatcholan. Saint Arunagiriar had worshipped God in this temple as well, the temple is worshipped in the Thevaram hymns of saints Gananasambandar, Appar and Sundarar. Amazing fact about this temple is that, this temple is the 121st Shiva temple which is established on the Southern Bank of Cauvery and is worshipped by many other Saints.This ancient temple is also one of the 78 Madakkoils which is built in an elevation by Ko Chengat Chola Nayanar so that the elephants can't enter the temple at any cost.

About The Temple

The temple has 3 prakarams with an 85 feet tall Rajagopuram where this structure is considered as a monolithic structure. There are many traces of Moat and the grand walls, Ambal's shrine which is located in the most extreme that is the outer most orakaram and has shrines of Ekachakra Perumal. Many pujas including the Surya Puja is conducted in this temple for three days in the Tamil month of Purattasi where Six worship services are offered every day of the puja. It is believed that the Chakra Theertham which is the wheels of the chariot of God Surya who has created the chakra theertham moat where the temple's pond named Kaarana Theertham, is created by Kaarana Rishi which lies on the east. The God present in the temple is a swayambumurthy.All the devotees coming to the temple are being blessed by Valivalam Valampuri Vinayaka and are worshipped in the Thevam hymn of Saint Sambandar where the hymn starts off with a line Pidi athan uruvumai kolamigu kariathu and it is a rule that by chanting Thevam hymns in any of the Shiva temple you must enter the temple by singing this song only it is also believed that glory of God Valivalam Valampuri Vinayaka is great.This temple is one of the Mada type temple present and constructed by Kochengat Cholan and God Muruga in the temple is forshipped by saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns.It is also believed that Surya has worshipped here and the wheels of his chariot have created the Chakra Theertham moat where Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar composed the Pathigam.Arunagirinathar sung Thiruppugazh on God Muruga here.The very famous hymns pidiyathan uruvumai belongs to this temple which is always sung at the start and last of the Thevaaram and Thiruvaasagam.

Legend and Stories

A man who was noted for his high characters and committed some sins, it is believed that he was born as a Karikuruvi-black sparrow in his next birth, the small bird had to face a lot of harassment of its big equivalent and in one such attack the bird was bleeding. The bird flew and took shelter in some hole of a tree where a Shivayogi was teaching his disciplines under the tree hence the sparrow listened them very carefully. The yogi was explaining and telling the disciplines of Of all Shiva Sthalas (places) Madurai is great and also the sacred springs of the Pottramarai in the temple is great also the Shiva mirth's are worth seeing with the Chokkanatha and he added by saying there is none equal to Madurai.God Somasundara-Chokkanatha is very merciful and grants all his love and blessings to his devotees the sparrow heard all that with attention he then realized the wisdom and enlightenment also understood why he became a sparrow in this birth.The bird flew to Madurai visited the temple and had a dip in the Pottramarai tank in the temple and prayed very sincerely to god Somasundara for three days continuously. Where the God called the bird and taught the Mrutyunjaya Mantra, the bird was further enlightened. The bird also requested to God shiva to protect him from the Bigger birds as its size was way to small and give him strength to face such situations, in return god said that it would be stronger than all the bigger birds. The sparrow begged for all the species present and hence it got the name Valian-strong due to this that place was called as Valivalam, and a feather of this sparrow came and landed in this temple which was worshipped by Manathunai Nathar and attained salvation.

Festivals

Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May; Thai Poosam in January-February; Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aavani Sundays in August-September; Purattasi Navarathri in September-October; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November; Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prasad and Offering

Prayers

Those suffering from cardiac problems, confused mind, mentally weak pray in the temple for solutions.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform Rudrabishekam to Lord on realizing their wishes.

Nearby Places to Visit

Kayaroganeswarar Temple
Thanthondreeswarar Temple
Neelakandeswarar Temple
Pallavaneswarar Temple
Aranyeswarar Temple
Naganathar Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest Air terminal is at Tiruchi.

Railways

The nearby rail head is at Tirunellikka.

Road

The devotee has to reach Kachanam through Tiruvarur-Tiruthuraipoondi bus. Valivalam is 5 km from Kachanur.

Temple Address

Sri Manathunai Nathar-Hrudaya Kamala Natheswarar Temple,
Valivalam-610 207, Tirukuvalai Taluk,
Nagapattinam district.