Masilamaniswara Temple, Thiruvaduthurai

Shrine of Thirvaduthurai Adheenam

Legend associates the temple with the saivite saint Tirumular (6th century CE).[2] Tirumular saw a herd of cows lamenting the death of their herdsmen named Moolan. Being a siddha, he entered into the body of Moolan, came back alive to serve as the herdsman.[2] It is believed that he was coming from North to South India to meet sage Agastya. When he went back to the place where he left his original body, he did not find it. Considering it as a divine play, he continued to remain in the body of Moolan for the rest of his life.[3]

As per another legend, Parvathi was cursed to become a cow and she worshipped Shiva to attain her original form.[4] The legend is closely associated with this temple, but is also associated with other temples like Thenupuriswarar Temple at Patteswaram, Aavoor Pasupatheeswaram and Tirukogarnam near Pudukkottai.[2]

Nandi, the bull of Shiva

The temple is located 12 km away from Mayiladuthurai and 24 km away from Kumbakonam. The temple has a five tiered Rajagopuram with elevated stone walls separating the second, third and fourth precinct. The images of the presiding deity, Masilamaniswarar, in the form of Shiva lingam occupies the main sanctum facing east. The shrine of the consort of Masilamaniswarar, Oppilamulaiyar faces west. The third prakaram has a separate shrine for the saivite saint Tirumular. The temple has three water bodies located at various places inside the temple. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam is located in the premises outside the fourth precinct.[5]

View of the temple

The temple is revered in the verses of Tevaram, the 7th century Saivite canonical work by the three saint poets, namely, Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. The temple is reverred by Sambandar in the third Tirumurai in one verse, Appar in five and Sundarar in two verses.[6][5]

"இடரினும் தளரினும் எனதுறுநோய்

தொடரினும் உனகழல் தொழுதெழுவேன்

கடல்தனில் அமுதொடு கலந்தநஞ்சை

மிடறினில் அடக்கிய வேதியனே

இதுவோஎமை ஆளுமா றீவதொன்றெமக் கில்லையேல்

அதுவோவுன தின்னருள் ஆவடுதுறை அரனே."

[6] translating to

"when I am undergoing sufferings.

when I am depressed in spirits.

when my big karmams follow me I shall wake up from sleep worshipping your feet.

Civaṉ who gave out the Vētams and who controlled the poison which was mixed with the nectar in the ocean of milk and made it stay in the neck!

Civaṉ in Āvaṭutuṟai!

if there is nothing to give to us.

is this way you admit us as your protege?

is your sweet grace like that?".[7]

• 
  Flagpost
• 
  Nandhi
• 
  Nandhi (right view)
• 
  Nandhi (left view)
• 
  Balipeetam
• 
  Amman shrine