Margasahayeswarar Moovalur

Margasahayeswarar, Moovalur

Saivite Temples, Nagapattinam District

God

Margasahayeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Mangalambigai Amman, Soundaranayagi, facing south

Other Deities

Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Sabtamadar, Bhairava, Saneeswara, Muruga, Nalwar, Ganesha, Navagraha, Annamalaiyar, Unnamaliamman, Sambandar, Sree Vishwanadar, Sree Visalakshi, Sokkanadar, Meenakshi, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, Vishnu, Daksha, Kandavel, Gajalakshmi, Sadayappar, Muruga with consorts, Karkodayan, Kariyasenar, Karmasenar, Piplar, Veerasenar, Aadhimaragasahayar

Margasahayeswarar Moovalur is a large, beautiful and ancient temple facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram, 2 Prakarams and a pond a little way to the east. The three Nandis around the Balipeedam and the fourth larger main Nandi facing the Lord is a unique feature here. The Dakshinamurthy idol here is also different with many forms of life and the four Saivite saints depicted below him. Many beautiful carvings can be found here particularly around the goddess shrine.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kaveri, Sundarapushkarini, Durgapushkarini, Upamanyu Koobam

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnai (Calophyllum inophyllum)

History

Margasahayeswarar Moovalur seems to have been built around the 10th Century CE. Stone inscriptions belonging to Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar periods are found here. Margasahayeswarar Moovalur is a Vaiputhsthalam, having been mentioned by Thirunavukkarasar in his Thevaram Hymns. Though mentions are found in Periyapuranam of Thirugnanasambandar having worshiped here the Hymns sung by him have not been located.

Legend

The Holy Trinity of Hinduism, Ari (Vishnu), Ayan (Brahma) and Aran (Shiva) are believed to have worshiped here at Margasahayeswarar Moovalur and hence the name Moovalur (Moo – Three).

Directions

Margasahayeswarar Moovalur is about 5 Kilometers west of Mayiladuthurai on the Kumbakonam Road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Nearest is Mayiladuthurai.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples