Birth Place of Saint Poet Manickavachakar
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Once upon a time this was a much celebrated temple town in the Pandya Kingdom near Madurai and the birth place of one of the famous four Saivite Saint Poet. Given the infrastructure development of the 20thcentury, this has become a remote location off the Madurai Melur highway. Located just under 10kms South of Melur, the Thirumanathaswamy temple in Thiruvathavur, a temple that predates the Meenakshi Amman temple, is big with a towering Raja Gopuram in the East. There are seven sacred tanks at the temple.
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It was after invoking the blessings of the Lord Thirumarainathaswamy of Thirvathavur that the famous Saivite Saint Poet Manickavachakar was born. In a thanking gesture, his parents named him as ‘Vathavooraar’. He grew up here into a bright young boy. So impressed was the Pandya King with his abilities that he appointed him as a minister in his kingdom. He was also anointed with the title of ‘Thennava Brahmma Raja”. He later went and built a temple in Avudayar and began singing praise of the Lord in temples. Lord was so pleased with his songs that he agreed to write for him, which later became the famous verses of Thiruvachakam. It is said that one who is not moved by the verses of Thiruvachakam cannot be a true devotee of Lord Shiva, such is the greatness of Manikavachakar’s presentation.
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Liberation from Body Pain, Joint Pain and Arthritis
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Inscriptions dating back a 1000 years record this place as one of ‘Sangam Tamizh’, indicating its historical nature.
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The temple is open from 6am-12noon and 4pm-8pm. M Ganapathy Bhattar @ 84897 04093 belongs to the third generation to perform at this temple. He has been at this temple for the last 41years having joined here in 1977.
Thirumarainathaswamy is said to cure sincere devotees from Joint Pain, Bone Diseases and muscle related issues - It was here that Saneeswarar was liberated from Arthritis
There is an exclusive temple dedicated to Manikavachakar opposite the Thirumarainathaswamy temple.
To liberate himself from the curse inflicted on him by Mandava Rishi for having disturbed the Rishi’s penance, one that gave him severe arthritis, Saneeswarar invoked the blessings of Lord Badapureeswarar here at Thiruvathavur. Belief is that those who perform oil abhishekam here and apply that oil on their legs will be relieved from arthritis. Hence this is said to be a temple that liberates one from bone related diseases, Joint Pain and muscular issues.
Bairavar without the Dog
When Bairavar ignored the presence of the Lord and walked past in arrogance, the Lord in an angry gesture decided to deny him the status with the dog. To repent from his mistake, it was here that Bairavar performed pooja to invoke the blessings of the Lord to get back his full form. In memory of this episode, Bairavar is seen without the dog at this temple.
Brahmma’s penance
Pleased with Brahmma’s Yagna at this place seeking the continuation of his ‘creative’ abilities, Ambal appeared from the fire providing darshan to him and blessing him with the fulfillment of his Yagna. Hence she is referred to as ‘Aaranavalli’.
This is also the birth place of the famous Tamil Scholar Kapilar.
Festivals
10 day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi with the Chariot festival on Visakam
Anna Abhishekam in Aipasi
12 day Utsavam in Avani
Thiruvachakam is recited every month on Magam
Aani Magam – Manickavachakar Mukthi Pooja
10 day Pidari Amman Utsavam in Chitrai
How to reach
One can reach Thiruvathavur via Othakadai and Thiru Mogur. Bus Number 66 runs from Maatuthavani bus stand to Thiruvathavur every 15-20 minutes through the long winding newly laid Tar road. Share autos also ply between Thiruvathavur and Maatuthavani bus stand.
One can also reach the temple from Melur. Bus No. 7 every half hour from Melur Bus Stand.
One can also reach the temple from Melur. Bus No. 7 every half hour from Melur Bus Stand.