19. SRI SIVALOKANATHAR TEMPLE AT GRAMAM (THIRUMUNDEECHARAM)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	51th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Nadu Naadu
Nadu Naadu	19th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

This is the place, where Mundi, one of Lord Shiva’s securities (Dwarapalakas), worshiped him. Hence this place is called “Mundeescharam” (“Thiru” is a respectful prefix) and the lord is praised as “Sri Mundeeswarar”. Hence it is now called “Thirumundeecharam” Lord Shiva’s other dwarapalaka, Thindi is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva in “Thindeeswaram” (now called Tindivanam). This temple is located on the southern bank of the Malattaru (Pennai river), now known as Malattaar. As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, this place was once the capital of Mudiyur Nadu. Also, these stone inscriptions reveal that this place was once called “Mouli Gramam” (“Mouli” means chieftain and “gramam” means village in Tamil). However, over a period of time, this was shortened to just Gramam.

King Chokkalingam found strange lotus flower:

King Chokkalingam visited this place in Dwapara Yuga. He is believed to have noticed a strange lotus flower in a pond. He wanted to pluck the flower but was unable to do so as it kept moving in the water. The king shot an arrow and as soon as it hit the flower, the water turned red. Upon further investigation, he found a Shivalingam inside the flower. He immediately built a temple there. The Shivalingam still has a scar on it.

King Veerapandiyan got pokkanam:

In this place, Lord Shiva gave a bag (Pokkanam) of sacred ash (Vibhuthi) to a king called Veerapandiyan. Hence the lord here is also praised as “Pokkanam Kodutha Nayanar”.

People Worshipped lord shiva here:

 Lord Brahma and Lord Indira have worshipped Lord Shiva here. 

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        Lord Dakshinamurthy is seated on his bull mount (Rishaba Vahanam) on a hill instead of being seated under the banyan (Kallala) tree.

·        There is a beautiful 25-pillared hall (Mandapam) with lots of intricately carved reliefs.

·        This is one of the temples where Saint Thirunavukkarasar performed his cleaning services (Uzhavara Pani). 

·        Sri Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Lord Varasiddi vinayaka. The Rajagopuram is facing east. Lord vinayaka and Lord Muruga have changed positions at the entrance. Lord Muruga’s left hand shows the Naarasa mudra. The temple is of Somaskanda design as the shrine of Lord Murugan is in between those of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.

·        The temple main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.

·        The flag post (Dwajasthambam) was installed recently.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Shivalokanathar, Sri Mundeeswarar
Ambal	Sri Soundarya Nayagi, Sri Kaanaar Kuzhali, Sri Selvanayaki
Theertham	Brahma Theertham/ Mundaka Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vanni Tree

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that worshiping Goddess Soundarya Nayaki here is considered to be auspicious for those seeking excellence in the fields of music and dance. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	Apr-May	Appar Vizha
Aani	June-July	Aani Thirumanjanam
Aavani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Mahashivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

 

HOW TO REACH:

Thirumundeecharam is situated at a distance of about 17 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Thirukkovilur route.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Sivalokanathar Temple,
Gramam (Thirumundeecharam),
Thiruvennainallur Taluk,
Villupuram ,
Tamil Nadu - 607 203.

LOCATION: