An Appeal

"ஆழ்கதீயதேல்லாம் அரன் நாமமே

சூழ்க வையகமுந் துயர் தீர்க்கவே"

Manavur Temple Renovation 

54 kilometers off Chennai (rail enroute Central-Arakkonam) lay a historical village called Manavur. The age of this village dates back to as early as 7^th century A.D. Historical facts reveal that kurumbas ruled the ancient Thondai Mandalam by dividing it into 24 divisions of which Manavur happened to be the 4^th division. 


True to its legacy, this small village boasts of several inscriptions and sculptures found in the sanctum sanctorum of 1200 years old Thirunandeeswarar, Kandhaswami and Vinayagar shrines.

The sculptures as well as architectural design of this temple depicts typical chola construction.

The Temple

The temple houses Thirunandeeswarar as moolavar. In the northern side of the temple premises resides goddess Anandavalli thayar. Outer pragaras hosts Ganapathy, subramaniar and Bairavar as kshetrabalagar. Around the sanctum, lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are installed.

It is inferred that Lord shiva after his celestial dance performance in Thiruvalangadu, gave darshan to Agasthiar in thirumanakolam along with His consort Anandavalli and hence the name of the village Manavur.

Quick Facts:

Main deity: Thirunandeeswarar, east facing
Goddess: Anadavalli, south facing
Sthala Vruksham: Vilvam
Theertham: Nandhi Theertham

Significance:

• 1200 years old temple
• Nandhi Baghavan and Sage Agasthiar had worshipped here
• Inscriptions found in Koovam and Thakkolam temples talks about the glory of this temple
• The temples in Manavur has been built with perfect alignment as mentioned in the aagama sastras (Karshanathi, Prathishtandham, Prathishtandhi, Uthsavandham and Uthsavandhi) Siva temple is built in Eashanya, Vijayaraghava Perumal temple in Niruthi moola, Sakthi Ganapthi temple facing north and Kandhaswami temple facing east have been consecrated.
• A unique urchava moorthi statue of Sri Kannapa Nayanar, who donated his eye to lord shiva, relates his connection to this temple.

Legend

• Nandhi Baghavan, initiated a sacred water source, which is now serving as the temple tank, took holy dip in the beautiful temple pond, worshipped lord Shiva and got his curse relieved. Hence the temple tank has the name Nandi theertham and the Lord is called “Thirunandeeswarar. It is also believed that ganga devi who captivated in lord shivas siras, is the source of water flow to this temple tank.
  

• Lord shiva after his celestial dance performance in Thiruvalangadu, which karaikal ammaiyar witnessed, came to Manavur and gave darshan to sage agasthiar with his consort. There is a famous saying "ஆடியது ஆலங்காட்டில், அமர்ந்தது திருவூறலில், மணந்தது மணவூரில்". Which means, Lord shiva danced in Thiruvalangadu, rested in Thiruvooral (now known as Thakkolam) and married Parvathi at Manavur.
  

• It is also being said that when this temple was well maintained, the doors of this temple, when closed, the bell sound will be heard in chidambaram, only after which the chidambaram temple will be closed. Also, during mogul invasion, the villagers, in a measure to save such beautiful doors, seem to have hid these doors, by throwing it in the village pond.

Worship Benefits

• People who suffer from stomach related ailments, worship Lord Vinayagar residing in the outer sannidhi and get cured of their disease.

• Those who have huge debts, worship goddess Anandavalli for six weeks by lighting a deepam with lemon shell, will get their debts cleared.

• Lord Brihaspathi(Guru) present in the outer sannidhi, when worshipped every Thursday by lighting a ghee deepam, facilitates timely marriage, when there are marriage obstacles.

It is a general practice in villages that the panchayat decisions or people’s issues will be addressed amidst large village gathering. Before such important decisions/verdicts are to be made, people promise in front of lord Poi Solla Pillayar and then decide. (Much similar to court scenes that we witness in movies. Where they promise upon Bhagavad Gita)

It has also been a regular practice in this village, when it comes to finance management and anything that involves manushya dharma such promise is made in front of this Vinayaga.

Present state of the temple

Thirunandeeswarar temple was in a dilapidated state and is currently being renovated. 

 

In a measure to restore the original glory and to uphold the falling majesty the local villagers worked without pay and restored part of this historic temple from falling to pieces. However, there are other tasks that require specific expertise, which is directly proportional to the cost involved. More temple photos here

Appeal

Shree Thirunandeeswarar Thirupani kuzhu has been formed under the guidance of Nanmangalam. Mr. Sivayanama to renovate this ancient and historically important temple. The overall cost was worked out to 42 lacs and 50% of the work has been completed. Below are some of the pending work, that are yet to be completed with contribution from local villagers, devotees and philanthropists.

Rajagopuram Construction – 18,00,000

Rajagopuram Mandapam – 2,00,000

Parivara Moorthi vaahanam repairs – 1,50,000

Arudra Mandapam Construction – 1,00,000

Ambal Shrine Vimana – 50,000

Kodi Maram and Kodi maram Medai – 4,50,000

Painting – 1,50,000

Nandhi Mandapam – 10,000

Electrical works – 55,000

Kumbabishekam expenses – 2,50,000

All of the above mentioned costs exclude contribution from villagers. Please donate liberally for this noble cause and get blessed by Lord Thirunandeeswarar.

For more details please contact

S. Arvind Prabhu Shankar(Manavur) on 9940444681
 (or)

Nanmangalam.Mr.Sivayanama on 9884126417

(or)

 Mr. Varadarajan on 044-24611244 (or) 9444917124