Manunadeeswarar, Maruthavancheri

Saivite Temples, Thiruvarur District

God

Manunadeeswarar, facing west

Goddess

Manicka Sivagamasundari, facing south

Other Deities

Jayadurga, Saneeswara, Bhairava, Surya, Chandikeswara, Balasubramanian, Dakshinamurthy, Mahaganapathi

Manunadeeswarar, Maruthuvancheri is an old west facing temple. The temple has been recently renovated and nicely maintained. There is a large temple tank to the north of the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Manu Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Pavizhamalli? (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis)

History

The temple is mentioned in a literature called Thejineevana Mahathmiyam.

Mythology

Emperor Manu after visiting Thiruveezhimizhalai visited this place and set up a meditation center and performed severe penance. The place was originally called Manu Thavanjer. The lingam installed by him is Manunadeeswarar. When he went about donating land and houses to 100 Brahmins he fell short by two. Lords Vishnu and Shiva came as Brahmins, received the donations and blessed him.

Directions

Manunadeeswarar temple, Maruthuvancheri is about 4.5 kilometers before Koothanur when you go from Kumbakonam. Take a right to reach the temple.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Kumbakonam.

Saivite Temples