275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiruvavaduthurai/Thiru Avaduthurai Thiru Masillamaneeswarar Temple !!



Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
 
 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thiruvavaduthurai/Thiru Avaduthurai is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.   This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built by the Kings of Chola Dynasty.  The temple inscription reveals the contributions made by King Paranthaka Chola I, King Raja Raja Chola I, King Rajendra Chola I, King Vijaya Rajendra Chola,  King Kulothunga Chola I, King Vikrama Chola, Tribuvana Chakravarty Rajaraja Thevan and King Maravarma  Vikrama Pandyan.   In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga. 
 
 
Presiding deity – Thiru Masillamaneeswarar / Gomuktheeswarar/Oppillamulaiyal Oru Pakan/Avaduthuraiyan/Thiruvavaduthurai Devar/ Thiruvavaduthurai Azhwar/ Thiruvavaduthurai Udiayar with his consort Goddess Sri Athulakucha Nayaki/Oppillamulai Ammai
 
 
Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Sundarar
 
 
Theertham – Gomukthi Theertham, Bhrama Theertham, Kaivalya Theertham,
 
 
Sthalavruksham - Peepal
 
 
Rishis & Sages worshipped Lord Shiva and earnestly prayed to reveal the cosmic dance form.  The compassionate Lord performed the cosmic dance and took them into a state of ecstasy.
 
 
Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Nandikeshwara (huge Nandi), Lord Thyagesar with his consort Goddess Sri Kamalambika, Lord Dakshinamurthi, Lord Surya, Anaithu Irundha Nayakar ( Lord Shiva with his consort Goddess Sri Parvati) Lord Shaneeswara, Chandeswara, Ardhanareeswara, Bhairava,  Thirumula Nayanar. Picchar & Boothaganas,
 
 
Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Thiru Karthikai, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Arudra Darisanam, Markazhi Utsavam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Navaratri, Purattasi Brahmostavam,
 
 
Worshipped by – Muchukundha Chakravarty, Dharma Devatha, Thirumaligai Thevar, Thirumula Nayanar, Sidhhars,
 
Thirumula Nayanar attained eternal wisdom on this sacred land, was the composer of sacred scriptures known as ‘Thiru Mandiram’.  
 
Life of Thirumula Nayanar:
 
 
 
 
 
 
The legend has that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva was engaged in a dice game, meanwhile Lord Shiva required clearing some reservations about the game with Goddess Parvati. But, Goddess Parvati amusingly responded favorably to Lord Vishnu.  Lord Shiva was annoyed at the reply of Goddess Sri Parvati and cursed her to be born as a cow on Earth.   Accordingly, Goddess Parvati took birth as a cow and worshipped Lord Shiva in many sacred places.   She underwent severe penance and worshipped Lord on this sacred land.   Eventually Lord was pleased at the devotion of Goddess Sri Parvati and provided her equal status.   Hence, the presiding deity has got the name Gomuktheeswarar.
 
 
Another legend has that Thiru Gnana Sambandhar lived with his father Shivapadha Hrudayar in this village for quite some time.  During their stay, Shivapadha Hrudayar had an earnest desire to conduct a Yaga in Shirkazhi, which requires lots of precious materials and wealth.  He revealed his genuine desire and the requirements of wealth to Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.  Sambandhar sincerely prayed to Lord Shiva in this temple and a passionately sung verse begins with ‘Idarinum Thalarinum’.   Lord was pleased at the devotion of Sambandhar and assigned the Bootha Ganas with loads of wealth required to conduct the Yaga.  Sambandhar received 1000 gold coins from the dais of this temple; eventually Shivapadha Hrudayar performed the Yaga in Shirkazhi  as he was desired. 
 
 
 
This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.00 PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.
 
 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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