Iyravatheswarar Temple Of Thirumanancheri



This is the 24th blog for the Padal Petra Sthalam temples of Lord Shiva. These temples have been mentioned in the ancient text of Thevaram which has been composed by the prime devotees of Lord Shiva, named as Nayanmar. All the temples of Lord Shiva mentioned in the blogs of Vedanam constitute the Padal Petra Sthalam.

In this article, we will read about Mela Thirumanancheri Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Iyravatheshwara and His consort is Devi Sugantha Kudalambigai. This temple is located in Mayiladuthrai district of Tamil Nadu.

The place where the temple is situated is also called as Ethirkolpadi. It is believed that after conducting the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathy at Tiruvelvikudi (about which we read in the previous blog for Padal Petra Sthalam), Sage Bharata arranged for a wedding reception for the celestial couple at Thirumanancheri. The ritual of welcoming newly married couple is called as Ethir Kollal in Tamil. Hence this place came to be called as Ethirkolpadi. 

As per legends, once Sage Durvasa presented a garland to Airavat, the majestic and celestial elephant which is the Vaahan of Indra. The elephant threw the garland away. Insulted and enraged, Sage Durvasa cursed both the elephant and Indra. He pronounced that Airavat would lose his glory and Indra would suffer defeat at the hands of a Pandian king. Feeling terrified, Indra and Airavat came down to the earth for penance. Airavat is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva at the place where the temple is currently situated and got relief from his curse. Indra too was cured of the ill-effects of the curse. The deity came to be called as Iyravatheswarar, having been worshipped by Airavat here. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is big and wide enough for an elephant to pass through.

Wedding receptions are conducted inside the temple complex with the belief that the newly married couple will have the blessings of the celestial couple. Also, people pray here for getting back lost things and positions. 

Om Namaha Shivaya! Om Devyai Namaha!

(Picture Courtesy: Dharisanam)

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