Olphindro Malang: created initial location with sources.

2025-05-25T01:52:47Z

created initial location with sources.

New page

{{Short description|Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Masilamaniswara Temple
| image = Thiruvavaduthurai4.JPG
| alt = Image of the temple and the temple tank
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10|29|N|78|41|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Mayiladuthurai district|Mayiladuthurai]]
| location = [[Thiruvaduthurai]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Masilamaniswarar (Shiva)
Oppilamulaiyar/ Athulyakujambigai (Parvathi)
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank = Gomukthi, Padma, Kaivalya
|temple_tree = Padar Arasa Maram
| tower =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity = 1
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Masilamaniswara Temple''' is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu god [[Shiva]], located in the village of [[Thiruvaduthurai]], located 22 km from the South Indian town, [[Kumbakonam]] and 14 km from [[Mayiladuthurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is one of the shrines of the 275 [[Paadal Petra Sthalams]]. The temple is referred to in the verses of ''[[Tevaram]]'', the 7th century Tamil Saiva canon by [[Sambandar|Tirugnana Sambandar]], [[Appar]] and [[Sundarar]]. The temple is associated with the legend of Saivite saint [[Tirumular]] (6th century CE).

The temple is believed to have been built by [[Cholas]] during 9th century A.D and with significant additions from later [[Chola]] kings and by the subsequent ruling empires. It houses five-tiered gateway towers known as ''[[gopurams]]''. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Masilamaniswarar and Oppilamulai Nayagi Amman being the most prominent. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and three yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam]], whose headquarters is located inside the temple.

==Legend==
[[File:Thiruvavaduthurai3.JPG|Shrine of Thirvaduthurai Adheenam|200px|thumb|left]]
Legend associates the temple with the saivite saint [[Tirumular]] (6th century CE). 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.<ref name=SC>{{Citation |last=Schottenhammer |first=Angela |title=The Emporium of the World: Maritime Quanzhou, 1000–1400|year=1997|publisher=Die Deutsche Bibliothek – CIP –Einheitsaufnahme|location=Netherlands |isbn=90-04-11773-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GEhGM6fZeaAC&q=avur+temple&pg=PA300|pages=299–300}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Siddhar Poems From Tamil: An Introduction|last=A.|first=Rajaram Brammarajan|journal=Indian Literature|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|jstor=23343022|year=2000|volume=44|issue=195|pages=157–176}}</ref>

As per another legend, [[Parvathi]] was cursed to become a cow and she worshipped Shiva to attain her original form.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=38}}</ref> 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]].<ref name=SC/>

==History==
The temple is counted as one of the earliest temples built during the regime of [[Parantaka I]]. An inscription in the temple indicates record of grants to pipers, land endowments, flower gardens, carriers of [[Sacred waters|sacred water]] during his third regnal year. Another inscription from his 38th regnal year recorded as 143 of 1925 indicates gift of 500 ''kalanjus'' of gold for the construction of the ''kudapadai'' upwards. Historians believe that the temple was built by Tirukaralippichan and was completed during the regime of Parantaka. There are other inscriptions that indicate donation of gold and silver vessels to the temple. The inscriptions from [[Rajaraja I]] recorded as 104 and 107 of 1925 indicate similar gift of metal images to the temple. This is counted as the first mention of portrait installation indicated in an inscription, with the other ones being in [[Uma Maheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram|Konerirajapuram]] and [[Thiruvisanallur Sivayoginathar Temple|Thiruvisanallur]] temples. The temple has been maintained and administered by the [[Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam]], whose headquarters is located inside the temple.<ref name=early>{{cite book|title=Early Chola temples Parantaka I to Rajaraja I (AD. 907–985)|last=S.R.|first=Balasubramanyam|year=1975|publisher=Thomson Press (India) Limited|url=http://ignca.gov.in/Asi_data/49443.pdf|pages=220–21}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The temple is located 12 km away from Mayiladuthurai and 24 km away from Kumbakonam. The temple has a five tiered ''[[gopuram|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.<ref name=Masi>{{cite web|url=http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/koil_view.php?koil_idField=28|year=2012|title=Masilamaniswarar Temple, Thiruvaduthurai|work=Thevaaram.org|access-date=2012-06-26 }}</ref>

==Religious significance==
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.<ref name=Sam>{{Cite book
|url= http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0173.pdf
|title=Sambandar Tevarm −3
|work=projectmadurai.org
|last=Tirugnanasambandar
|year=2002
|access-date=19 August 2012|pages=8–10
}}</ref><ref name=Masi/>

::::"இடரினும் தளரினும் எனதுறுநோய்
:::: தொடரினும் உனகழல் தொழுதெழுவேன்
:::: கடல்தனில் அமுதொடு கலந்தநஞ்சை
:::: மிடறினில் அடக்கிய வேதியனே

:::: இதுவோஎமை ஆளுமா றீவதொன்றெமக் கில்லையேல்
:::: அதுவோவுன தின்னருள் ஆவடுதுறை அரனே."
<ref name=Sam/>
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?".<ref name=Moondram>{{cite web|url=http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/songview.php?thiru=3&Song_idField=3004&padhi=126+&button=%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95|year=2012|title=Moondram Thirumurai, Thiruvaduthurai|work=Thevaaram.org|access-date=2012-06-26 }}</ref>

Sambandar is believed to obtained gold coins from the presiding deity for performing Yagna by his father. Sundarar was relieved off his curse after praying the presiding deity. [[Thirumoolar]], a [[Sidhha]] saint, is believed to have sung 3,000 in praise of the presiding deity in the temple. Thirumaligai Devar, another Siddha, is believed to have performed many wonders in the temple. The Samathi of both the Siddhas are in the precinct of the temple. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of [[River Kaveri]].<ref name=Ka>{{cite book|title=River cauvery the most battl(r)ed|last=Ka. Vi.|first=Kannan|pages=36–7|publisher=Notion Press|year=2019|isbn=9781684666041|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CGFDwAAQBAJ&q=thiruvavaduthurai}}</ref>

==Worship practices==
[[File:Thiruvavaduthurai5.JPG|Nandi, the bull of Shiva|200px|thumb]]
The temple priests perform the ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Shaiva]] community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''[[abhisheka]]'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''[[Naivedhya|naivethanam]]'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Masilamaniswarar and Kodiyidai Nayagi. The worship is held amidst music with ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the [[Vedas]] (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by worshipers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' (Monday) and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'' (Friday), fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'' and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''.
Brahmotsavam during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' (September – October), Thiruvadhirai during the month of ''{{lang|te-Latn|Margazhi}}'' (December – January) and Annabhishekam during the Tamil month of ''{{lang|te-Latn|Masi}}'' are the major festivals celebrated in the temple.<ref name=dinamalar>{{cite web|title=Sri Gokumukteeswarar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=315|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=31 May 2014|year=2014}}</ref> Saiva Sithantham philosophy is promulgated in the temples owned by Atheenam. ''Tevaram'' is recited during all the six daily rituals.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society|volume=102|issue=1|title=Singing of a Place: Pilgrimage as Metaphor and Motif in the Tēvāram Songs of the Tamil Śaivite Saints|page=82|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/601112|year=1982|last=Peterson|first=Indira V.|access-date=10 July 2021|publisher=American Oriental Society|doi=10.2307/601112 |jstor=601112 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Thiruvaduthurai Temple}}

{{Tiruvicaippa and Thirupallandu Talangal}}

[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Mayiladuthurai district]]

Masilamaniswara Temple, Thiruvaduthurai - Revision history

Olphindro Malang: created initial location with sources.