7. SRI MULLAIVANANATHAR TEMPLE AT THEN THIRUMULLAIVASAL

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	61st Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	7th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

This temple is situated near the coast of Bay of Bengal and the sea shore is just half a kilometre away from this temple. The temple is believed to have been built about 1,300 years ago by the Chola King Killivalavan. There are two places with the same name of “Thirumullaivayil”.

One is located near Sirkazhi and the other near Chennai. Both of these places are home to very ancient temples. Thirumullaivayil near Seerkazhi is called “Then Thirumullaivasal” and the one near Chennai is called “Vada Thirumullaivoyal” (“Then” meaning south and “Vada” meaning north in Tamil).

“Thirumullaivoyal” or “Thirumullaivasal” gets its name from the belief that Lord Shiva emerged from a Jasmine bush in both these places. “Thiru” is a respectful prefix, “Mullai” means Jasmine and “Vassal” means place in Tamil. Now this temple is under the control and administration of the Dharumapuram Adheenam.

Goddess Parvathy:

Goddess Parvathy worshipped Lord Shiva here to learn the “Panchakshara Mantra” (the five-letter mantra), “Na Ma Shi Va Ya” and its meaning from him. Pleased with her worship, Lord Shiva imparted the knowledge of the mantra (Upadesam). Hence the lord here is considered as a teacher (Guru) and the goddess as a pupil. Because of this, there is no “Palli Arai” (bed chamber) and the poojas associated with it.

Chandiran:

Chandiran (Moon) is also believed to have worshiped the lord here after taking a dip in the Chandra Theertham. He is also believed to have recovered from his illness and relieved from his curse.

Karikal Valavan:

Chola King Killi Valavan, grandfather of Karikal Valavan, was suffering from skin disease. As advised by his doctors, he came to this place for a holy dip in the sea and in the temple’s Chandra Theertham. The place was densely covered with jasmine (Mullai) plants which entangled the legs of his horses. In order to clear the way, the king started hacking the plants with his sword but was shocked to see blood oozing from there. He cleared away the shrubs and found a bleeding Shivalingam there. The king was overcome by grief that he had damaged the Shivalingam. In order to repent for his mistake, the king tried to sever his head but Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared before him and stopped him from doing so.

The king built a temple where he found the Shivalingam and named the lord as “Mullaivana Nathar” (“Mullai” means jasmine, “Vanam” means forest and “Nathar” is a respectful suffix in Tamil). This lingam still bears scar marks due to the cut from the king’s sword.

Teacher of Vedas:

Susavi is a scholar and teacher of Vedas who lived in the erstwhile Pandiya Naadu. He performed many yagnas. After his death and as per his wish, Vamadeva, his eldest son placed his bones and ashes in a pot in order to immerse it in the holy waters of many Shiva temples. When he reached this place, he met Markanda Rishi in his Ashram. The rishi advised him to dissolve the bones in this temple’s Vishnu Theertham. When he put the bones in the waters, they turned into diamond stones. He then performed all the last rites for his father here to enable him to obtain salvation.

People who worshipped here:

It is believed that Lord Indran, King Yudhishthira (Dharmar) and serpent Karkkodagan have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·    Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) and the lingam is quite tall.
·   It is believed that the holy river Ganga springs in this temple’s well.
· This is one of the “Panchavaneswaram” temples – the other four being Chidambaram, Chayavanam, Thiruvenkadu and Pallavanecharam.
·    Lord Dakshinamurthy’s idol is big and very beautiful. He can be seen with the four sages (Sanakathars).
·    In the corridors, there are beautifully carved reliefs that depicts the sthala puranam

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Mullaivananathar, Sri Yuthika Parameswarar, Sri Masilamaneeswarar
Ambal	Sri Anikonda Kothaiyammai, Sri Sathyanantha Soundari
Theertham	Vishnu Theertham, Chandra Theertham, Brahma Theertham and Ganga Theertham.
Sthala Vriksham	Mullai (Jasmine)

BELIEF:

It is strongly believed that devotees who chant the Panchakshara mantra in the temple on Solar and Lunar eclipse days and on new moon days (Amavasya) will be blessed with prosperity and happiness. It is believed that by doing so devotees will be able to break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.

Since this is the place where Lord Shiva imparted knowledge to Goddess Parvathy, lots of students worship the lord here to seek his blessings for their educational pursuits.

The Masi Maham Theerthavari festival is celebrated in a grand manner in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March). During this time, the procession idols of Lord Mullaivana Nathar and Goddess Kothaiyammai are taken to the seashore.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Masi Maham Theerthavari festival
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thirumullaivasal is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Sirkazhi. Sirkazhi is on the Chidambaram to Mayiladuthurai route.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Mullaivananathar Temple,
Thirumullaivasal,
Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609 113.

LOCATION: