Thandavaneswarar Mookanur

Saivite Temples, Villupuram District

God

Thandavaneswarar, facing east

Goddess

Sivakamasundari, facing east

Other Deities

Valampuri Vinayaka, Dwaraganapati, Muruga, Narthana Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Ashtabuja Durga, Nagar, Navagraha

Thandavaneswarar Mookanur is one of the five shiva temples in the area representing the Panchaboothas, Five Elements namely Land, Sky, Fire, Water and Air. This temple represents Sky (Aagayam). The other temples in this group are Devabandalam (Earth), Pakkam (Fire), Kaduvanur (Air), Raavuthanallur (Water). The sanctum sanctorums here are all 6 feet above the ground symbolising the Air representation. The main sanctum sanctorum containing the God and Goddess has 3 flight of 9 steps each representing the 9 Navagrahas and the 27 Stars.

Holy water (Theertham) – Not Known

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos). The tree here is a rare Mahavilwam and has 7-9 leaves in a petiole unlike the normal 3 leaves.

History

Emperor Musukuntha Chola is said to have built Thandavaneswarar Mookanur.

Legend

Lord Shiva here at Thandavaneswarar Mookanur in contentment with a Monkey who accidentally dropped vilwa leaves upon him gave it a boon, as desired, to be reborn as a man with a monkey face. This is believed to be Emperor Musukunta, who ruled from Karur.

Directions

Thandavaneswarar Mookanur is about 43 Kilometers from Thirukoviloor via Sankarapuram. From Sankarapuram take the Thiruvannamalai Road and take a left in about 3 kilometres to reach Thandavaneswarar Mookanur.

Stay and Food

None locally

Saivite Temples

Thandavaneswarar, Mookanur