Masilamani Eswarar temple, Tiruvavaduthurai
Location: Tiruvavaduthurai
Deity known as: Masilamani Eswarar, Prakasamani Nathar, Gomuktheesar
Female Deity: Athulakusa Nayaki, Oppilaa Mulaiyammai
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 5, Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 2
Gallery - Tiruvavaduthurai Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located approximately 18 kilometers from Mayiladuthurai on the route to Kumbakonam. It is easily accessible by road from both Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam.
Temple Address
Tiruvavaduthurai
Mayiladuthurai Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
Tamil Nadu
Temple Hours
Morning: 7:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Near by Temples
| 1 | Tiru-Nallam - 13.8 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Kozhambam - 7.2 kms | |
| 3 | Tiru-Thuruthi (Kutralam) - 7.2 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Vazhundur - 7.9 kms | |
| 5 | Tiru-Velvi-Kudi - 4.8 kms | |
| 6 | Tiru-Edirkol-PAdi - 11.1 kms | |
| 7 | Tiru-Manancheri - 11.6 kms |
Sthala Purana - The Game of Dice
While Shiva and Maha Vishnu were once playing Sokkaṭṭān (a traditional dice game), Goddess Parvathi was seated as the neutral referee. When a doubt arose regarding the roll of the dice, Shiva asked Parvathi to give her judgment. Parvathi gave a verdict in favor of Maha Vishnu. Feeling displeased, Shiva cursed Parvathi to be born on earth in the form of a cow.
Gomuktheeswarar
Thus born as a cow, Parvathi journeyed to several places on earth. Tiruvavaduthurai is one of the places where the Goddess came here in the form of a cow and performed severe penance, praying to Shiva. Pleased with her devotion, Shiva appeared before her, embraced her, and they were united. Since Shiva granted liberation to the cow ("Go" meaning cow), He came to be known as Gomuktheeswarar.
Tirugnanasambandar - The Bag of Gold Coins
Tirugnanasambandar stayed at this sacred place for some time along with his father, Shivapada Irudayar. During that period, Shivapada Irudayar wished to perform a yagna at Sirkazhi. Therefore, he requested Tirugnanasambandar to seek the required wealth and materials necessary for conducting the yagna.
The Gift of Gold
Seeking resources for the yagna, Sambandar sang a hymn beginning with "Idarinum Thalarinum Enathurunoy Thodarinum Un Kazhal Thozhudhezhuven". Through His Bhutaganas, Shiva bestowed a bag containing one thousand gold coins that would never be emptied, and instructed that it be placed on the broad pedestal of the bali peetam in this temple.
Having received the gold, Sivapada Irudayar proceeded to Sirkazhi and successfully completed the yagna.
The bali peetam on which the golden coins were placed is located in the outer prakara, near Nandi. Surrounding it are the figures of the Bhutaganas who brought the bag containing the gold coins. It is believed that praying to the deity at this spot will bring prosperity and abundance to one's family.
The Miracle of Thirumaaligai Thevar
Thirumaaligai Thevar, who composed four hymns in the Thiruvisaippa, the ninth Thirumurai, was a disciple of Bogar. He rendered devoted service to God Shiva at this place. On one occasion, false accusations were levelled against him, and the king sent his soldiers to attack him.
The Living Nandis
At Thiruvaavaduthurai, Thirumaaligai Thevar performed a miracle by bringing the Nandis on the temple compound wall to life and making them chase away the army of King Narasingan. Even today, it can be seen that there are no Nandis on the walls of this temple.
King Musukunda Chakravarti - The Blessing of Progeny
This place is renowned for granting King Musukunda Chakravarti the blessing of a son, and for revealing itself as Thiruvarur and the deity as Thyagesa. Long distressed by the absence of progeny, King Musukunda continued to worship an idol of Thyagesa, whom he had received from Indra.
Divine Blessing
On one occasion, God Shiva appeared in the king's dream and assured him that by worshipping Him at Tiruvavaduthurai, he would be blessed with children. Therefore, it is believed that those who pray here seeking the boon of progeny will be granted that blessing.
The Sacred Place of Thirumoolar
A Shaiva yogi named Sundaranathar descended from Kailasa to the earthly realm and travelled to worship various Shiva temples. When he reached this sacred place, he saw that a cowherd named Moolan lay dead, with cows around him crying in distress. Moved by compassion for the cows, the yogi infused his own life into Moolan's body and rose again. From then on, he came to be known as Thirumoolar.
The Thirumandiram
Thirumoolar composed one hymn each year, amounting to a total of three thousand verses. These verses were later compiled as the Thirumandiram. A sannidhi dedicated to Thirumoolar is located in the outer prakara of this temple.
Temple Structure
Rajagopuram
This temple is adorned with a five-tiered east-facing Rajagopuram. Opposite the gopuram entrance is the Gomukthi Theertham. On either side of the gopuram gateway are the sannidhis of Vinayaka and Muruga, who accompanied Uma Devi when she was in the form of a cow.
Corridor and Nandi Mandapam
Beyond the gopuram entrance lies a long corridor. At its end is a mandapam housing a large Nandi. The bali peetam located behind this Nandi is the sacred spot where Tirugnanasambandar was bestowed with the bag full of gold coins. Bhutaganas are depicted standing on all four sides of the bali peetam.
Discovery of the Thirumandiram
Sensing a unique fragrance near this pedestal, Tirugnanasambandar removed the stones of the peetam, beneath which the Thirumandiram composed by Thirumoolar was revealed.
In front of the large Nandi, there is another smaller Nandi. Maha Abhishekam is performed for this Nandi during Pradosham. As this temple is regarded as the Nandi sthalam among the subsidiary temples of Thiruvidaimarudur, offering prayers to Nandi here is considered especially auspicious.
Swami Sannidhi
To the right of the main sanctum is the sannidhi for Thyagesar. In the prakaram, in a south-facing sannidhi, resides the 'Urchava Murthy', the processional deity of this temple, Anaithu-ezhundha Nayakar. Though depicted in the posture of embracing the Goddess, the idol is uniquely sculpted such that His hands do not touch the Goddess. It is believed that estranged couples who pray to Him here will be reunited.
Special Features of the Temple
The Distinctions
According to the sthala purana, God Shiva imparted the Ashta Maha Siddhis to the Navakodi Siddhars, including Bogar, at this sacred place. It is also here that the Dharma Devatha worshipped the deity and received the privilege of becoming His 'Vahana'.
The samadhis of great saints such as Thirumoolar and Thirumaaligai Thevar are also located here. Owing to its many unique spiritual distinctions, the temple of Thiruvaavaduthurai holds a special place among devotees.
Sacred Connections
- One of the subsidiary temples of Thiruvidaimarudur
- Considered the Nandi Sthalam of the region
- Associated with the composition of Thirumandiram
- Place where Thirumoolar attained spiritual realization
- Sacred site for blessings of prosperity and progeny
Gallery - Tiruvavaduthurai Temple
