MUKTEESHWARAR TEMPLE – TEPPAKULAM MADURAI

 MUKTEESHWARAR TEMPLE – TEPPAKULAM MADURAI

(PANCHBHOOTHA STHALAM RELATED TO AIR = VAYU)

Chapter 44 of the Brahmanda Purana, Shiva and Brahma had a heated argument So violent was Shiva's anger that, even Parvathi his consort could not bear to be near him. On Parvathi’s complaint that it was not possible for her to live with him anymore, Shiva decided to deposit this anger of his in to the womb of Anasuya the wife of Rishi Atri. To them was born as a son, Sage Durvasa, who being born out of the anger of Shiva was always hot tempered.

The Vishnu purana states that, Wandering on earth Sage Durvasa came by a Vidyadhari ( a nymph of Vayu or Air) who was wearing a heavenly floral garland. On the sages request the nymph gave the garland of flowers to Durvasa, who on reaching the heavens, gave the flowers to Indra on Airavata (white elephant, Indra's Vehicle). Not knowing what to do Indra placed the garland on the head of Airavata. So fragrant was the flowers in the garland, that it attracted bees. Irritated, Airavata picked the garland with its trunk, threw it on the ground and stamped on it. Enraged, that his gift was treated so callously, sage Durvasa cursed both Indra and Airavata to be born on earth. Airavata was to lose its white colour and roam the wilderness on earth for 100 years as an ordinary elephant.

After 100 years of wandering in the forest Airavatha got mukthi from the curse of Durvasa and prayed to Lord Mukteeshwara before departing to the heavenly abode, hence the place is also Known as Iravadanallur( tamil) or Airavathanallur, as per the Temple records even today.

This story is based on the 2nd chapter of the 64 chapters of THIRUVILAYADAL PURANAM “Miracles of Lord Shiva” or Games played by Lord Shiva with his devotees including Parvathi, written by Sage Paranjyothi.

The Temple of Muktheeshwarar is built on the banks of the River Vaigai, in a place called Vandiyur opposite to the Teppakulam (Temple pond) of Meenakshi Amman. The temple is in itself in existence for more than a 1000 years. But has been renovated many times including the Nayakars of Madurai.

The lord is known as Muktheeshwarar or Airavateshwar (Airavathanathar) and the goddess is called Maragadavalli. Maragadam in tamil refers to emerald.

King Thirumalai Naicker of the dynasty of Nayaks, had wished to build a pond (Teppakulam ) for Goddess Meenakshi. The land chosen for this purpose was the front of Muktheeshwarar Temple. Being on the Banks of Vaigai river the sand excavated was used for construction of the Meenakshi temple. Hence the temple could not be extended to add a Rajagopuram . The gopuram constructed in the centre of the Tank looks like the Rajagopuram from inside the temple and the eastern side of the pond. However, this seems to be a folklore as there is enough space where many Gopuram’s could have been built, but was never built.

The temple has a big compound starting with the Bali Peetham , and the Nandi Mandapam. A mid-sized but One of the most decorated Nandi in temples in Tamilnadu. The Nandi is sculpted with designed harness around its mouth to its head,(Mukkan Kayaru), with capped horns, two necklaces of bells, a decorated square pedestal with extended designed tapestry around its body with dangling floral paterns.

The Dhwaja Sthambam is missing or not installed.

This outer prahara leads into a 20 pillared hall through 3 stepped stairs, which seems to be of modern construction. This pillared hall leads to the Mukha Mandapam again through few steps, designed with 6 pillars. In the four corners, pillar’s with diagonal extensions with Simha Yali’s from the Nayak period and two pillars in the centre.

The Mukha Mandapam leads to an Ardha Mandapam and the Garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum. The lingam is a very amazing but small one of 2 feet’s from the ground with a Square,Chaturanga Avudayar or Pindika, which indicates the Significance or importance of the Goddess Parvathi as Meenakshi in the town. The Vimanam is also chaturangam.

Coming Outside through the same entrance, just outside the Mukhamandapam and facing south is a Small shrine dedicated to Shiva’s Consort Parvathi as Maragadavalli in a standing posture beautiful about 4 feet in height.

In the outer compound on the back side are two shrines dedicated to Lord Vinayaka.

The rays of the Sun fall on the Shivalingam for 20 minutes every day, between 10th to 23rd of March and again in September between the 18th and 30th every year. As Surya(the lord of the planets)himself prays to the Lord , there is no Navagaraham in this temple.

Sthala vriksham is Vilvam with four varieties of vilvam called Nelli,Kiluvai,Mavilangai and Vilwam.

Temple timings : 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 4.00PM to 8.30 PM

Temple Contact Numbers :0452-2349868/2344360.