Sri Muktheeswarar Temple

Overview

The place is known as “Sethalapathi” and the Shiva sthalam is 2 kilometres away from the Koothanur Saraswathi temple.The presiding deity is Mutheesar, Maragathavalli, Madhimuktheeswarar ,Ambal Porkodi Nayaki and Mandaravaneswarar. The temple is peaceful and small and like Madakoil type. Swarnavalli sametha Mukthiswarar temple is situated at Thilatharpanapuri 2.6kms from Koothanur. Koothanoor is close to Poonthottam which is on Mayavaram – Tiruvarur Road. The closest railroad station is at Poonthottam. The presiding deities here are Swarnavalli Thayar and Mukthiswarar. The name Thilatharpanapuri originates from two words thil importance Gingely and tharpana - a Hindu custom of performing pithru karmas (custom of paying tribute to precursors). It is also known as Sethalapathy.

There are 7 places for performing these customs viz. Srivanchiyam, Kasi, Gaya, Rameswaram, Thilatharpanapuri, Thiriveni Sangamam and Thiruvenkadu. Lack of satisfaction of yearnings, Awful deeds of the offspring and Simple approaches to dispose of Pitru Dosham (Ancestral sin) is to encourage the poor on Amavasya day (New Moon day) and perform the tharpanam (custom of paying tribute to progenitors) frequently. By fulfilling the wishes of the souls of our progenitors, we can have their gift as blessings for a prosperous life. Considered as significant as to Kasi or Rameswaram, performing tharpanam here on Amavasya day is viewed as uncommon. This is a Mukthikshetram. Like Srivanchiyam, it is trusted that the trespassed won't have the capacity to visit this temple and an arranged visit to this temple is impractical

About the Temple

The hallowed place for Aadhi Vinayakar (otherwise called Nara mukha vinayakar) is simply outside the primary temple. Here you can see Ganesha with a human head and henceforth the name Naramukha vinayakar.

The account of Lord Shiva decapitating Naramukha Vinayaka who was made by Goddess Parvati and afterward attaching the head of an elephant is understood. What is lesser known is, Lord Shiva had ordered his troops to bring the head of anybody who was lying down with his head towards North. They found an elephant lying down with its head towards North. Shiva named the kid Ganapati – significance authority of his troops and blessed that Ganapati should be venerated by everyone before beginning anything new.

About The Deity

Lord Shiva (Sakalabhuvaneswarar) is a swayambumurthy here. Goddess Lalithambika is placed on the Srichakra throne with Her Abhaya, Varada hastha Mudras, putting her right leg on the left superbly. Ambika is capable. Virgins look for the endowments of Lord Kalyana Sundareswara with wreaths and archanas for right time of marriage. The wiped out offer Pirandai rice on the lotus leaf for cure. Enthusiasts implore Goddess Lalithambika for help, doing away of hindrances in marriage and to gain progress in instruction. Out of devotion to God, devotees offer abhishek and vastras to Lord and The Goddess. They also offer anklets to Goddess Lalithambika.

Legend and Stories

Many of us know that Aruna is the charioteer of Sun. His story lies in Tirumeeyachur. Sage Kashyapa had two wives, Vinatha and Karthru. Both appealed to Lord Shiva for a child. Lord Shiva gave two eggs to them. Out of Vinatha's egg, Garuda was born. As nothing still came out of the egg given to Karthru, in fury, she broke the egg and discovered a small child. She couldn't help appealing to Lord Shiva for her hurriedness. Shiva was generous and advised her that the child would be charioteer of Sun's Ratha drawn by 7 white horses and the day's beginning would be called Arunodaya after his name Aruna.

Aruna was a staunch Shiva devotee and performed penance to have His darshan. Sun derided at him saying that how a man with distortions can perform penance. Yet Aruna did not lose heart and proceeded with the retribution. While gracing Aruna, Lord Shiva reviled Sun for criticizing Aruna. Sun lost his brilliance and offered some kind of reparation by venerating Shiva and Mother setting them on an elephant. Referring this story, the inner sanctum of the temple is in the Gajabrushta (rear of an elephant) structure. Shiva graces the Meganatha here. There are three Kalasas (pots) on the Vimana. As Sun recovered his brilliance, the spot is known as Meeyachur. Evil spirit Pandasura was pestering the Devas in the divine world. They implored Mother Parasakthi to shield them from the Demon. Goddess showed up from the Yagna fire with Her Srichakra Chariot with the name Lalithambika. She was furious and killed the evil spirit. Lord Shiva exhorted Devi to go to Earth as Sripuravasini and perform compensation to control Her anger. Goddess Lalithambika resulted in these present circumstances spot, performed retribution and got to be quiet and effortless. She made Vachinya and different blessed messengers of words and requesting that they serenade her 1000 names. This is the way Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam with the starting "Sri Mathre" appeared.

Rare Facts

Lord Shiva is a Swayambulingmurthy here. The beams of Sun fall on the Lord from 21 to 27 in the month of Chithirai when special pujas are performed in the temple. The model of Sri Kshetrapuraneswarar is the fascination in the temple. Goddess seems both angry and agile when seen from distinctive angles.

Significance

People pray to Lord for early marriage and to gain prosperity.

Nearby Places to Visit

All the three forms of shakthi viz Saraswathi at koothanur, Swarnavalli at Thilatharpanapuri and Durga (Lalithambigai) at Thirumeyachur are there nearby. Seshapureswarar Temple at Thirupamburam is also close to this temple.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.

Railways

There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Nagapattinam.

Road

Nagapattinam is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Muktheeswarar kovil,
Sethalapathy Agraharam,
Poonthottam, Tiruvarur District -609503.