161. MANNIVAKKAM

MANNEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 

Shiva: Maneeswarar

Amman: Maragadhambigai

Sthala Viruksahm: Vanni tree

Speciality:

The temple has 2 Praharas.

There is a Kodimaram.

Nandhi does not face Shiva. It faces the opposite direction, his back facing Shiva.

This is one of the 9 temples where Nandhi faces outside (Nandhi Thirumbiya Thondai nattu sthalam)

Both Shiva and Nandhi faces east.

This temple was built by Kulothunga Chola III.

The Pancha Koshta deities are present in the temple.

There is a small Gopuram but no Rajagopuram.

In the entrance of the Mahamandapam we find the Vinayaka and Murugar Sannidhi.

The other Sannidhis are Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar, Suriyan and Chandran.

Saneeswarar is in a separate Sannidhi placed on an Aavudaiyar.

History:

This place was a forest in ancient days. There was a hunter who hunted animals even though he knew it was a sin to kill animals. He had to do this for his living. One day he did not get any animal. Due to hunger he was searching for something to eat. He saw a Vanni tree there. Since he did not get anything he starting cutting the roots of the tree to consume. As he went on cutting the roots the roots started extending deep into the ground. Suddenly blood started oozing from the roots. The surprised hunter ran to the palace and told the king about this incident. The King rushed to the place and asked him men to clean it so that he could find out what was there. They were not able to pull the root. So he asked his men to bring elephants to pull roots outside. After the elephant moved the roots they found a Shiva Linga in that place. The elephants tried to bring out the Linga but they could not. The King was worried. He prayed to Lord Shiva to give him a solution. Suddenly the King and the people around heard a voice asking the King to build a temple in the place where the Shiva linga was found. The King agreed and when he started the work of constructing the temple he tried to remove the Shiva Linga from its submerged condition and this time he succeeded in his effort. The voice also said that the hunter will be relieved of his sins. Since the Linga was taken out from mud the King named it Manneeswarar. Finaly the temple was built for the Shiva Linga.