Arch at the entrance of the Shiva Vishnu Temple, Mudichur |
So, how did this temple become a "Parihara Sthalam" ? Thats an interesting story.
Over 1300 years ago, there was a Shiva Devotee named Kameshwaran in this village. He found a Shivalingam and started worshipping it in a small shrine. In the same village, lived a man called Vishwam with his adopted daughter Vasuki. Kameshwaran and Vasuki fell in love and wanted to get married. But Vishwam was against the match. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, Kameshwaran and Vasuki prayed to Lord Shiva everyday to join them in matrimony.Hearing their sincere prayers, Lord Shiva appeared beforeVishwam as Parameshwaran, the Gurukkal at the temple and asked him to bring Kameshwaran and Vasuki to the temple. Unable to act against the words of the Gurukkal, Vishwam did as told. Parameshwaran got the two of them married. Lord Shiva and Parvathi appeared before the couple, who were overwhelmed with happiness. Since Lord Shiva got Kameshwaran and Vasuki married here, the place came to be known as Manamudicha Nallur ( place where the wedding was conducted), which now is called Mudichur.
Nagapeetam outside the temple |
The temple is a great example of Shaiva - Vaishnava unity. The temple complex houses Sridevi Bhoodevi Samedha Damodhara Perumal. This was a sought after Vaishnavite Shrine of Yore. It is believed that Saint Ramanuja had given a Pravachanam here on his way to Shriperumbudur. In the 1800s, Sri Appariyaar Swamy is said to have collected the "Naalayira Divya Prabandham" through manuscripts, and helped collating them for print. Some also say that since the Divya Prabandham work was completed here, the place came to be known as Mudichur.
A closer look at the Nagapeetam |
Beautiful temple tank at Mudichur |
A picture of the Theppam Festival (Photo Courtesy : Mr. Krubha Karan) |
As we enter the temple, we find the Hanuman shrine to our right, and a small shrine for Garudalwar in front of the ancient lamp post. Both Hanuman and Garuda face the Damodara Perumal temple. The left side of the temple complex is made up of the Vidyambigai Samedha Bheemeswarar temple and the shrines around it - namely for Vinayaka, Muruga, Navagraha, Chandikeshwara, Durga, Bhairava and Chandran. Most of these idols are made from Natural Moon Stone (Chandrakanta Stone) and hence are unique in their own way.
Worshipping Chandra made from Chandrakanta stone is said to rid one of all dosas. A few metres away from the temple, is a huge Peepal Tree (Aala maram). Big enough to shoot Panchayat scenes in tamil movies. Under the Peepal Tree, is a shrine for Aalavatta Amman, a frontier Goddess for this region
How to reach the temple:
From Tambaram, take the right towards Mudichur Road. After travelling about 4 kms down the road, you will reach a church on your right side and a board which reads Mudichur on the left. Take the left turn at the Board. The road will take a natural curve towards the Aalavattamman temple and then reach the Shiva Vishnu Temple. Several buses and share autos are available from Tambaram bus stand and railway station Mudichur.
Temple Timings:
The official timings of the temple are 7 am to 10 am in the mornings and 5 pm to 8 pm in the evenings. However the temple is usually opened only by 8 am in the morning so it is advisable to go after that.
With the Karthigai Deepam festival falling on 8th December this year, do visit this temple to worship Vidyambigai, Bheemeshwarar and Sridevi Bhoodevi Samedha Damodhara Perumal and also witness Karthigai Deepam Chokkapanai, Theppam and other festivities.
Goddess Vidyambigai (Photo Courtesy: Maalai Malar) |
Good Write up Madam. Sri Vidhya Ambigai Thiruvadigaley Saranam.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Priya
Madam Priya,
ReplyDeleteA good blog with lots of useful information and a lucid writing style!
Cinema Virumbi
http://cinemavirumbi.blogspot.com
Your post is very good and informative. Keep more coming :)
ReplyDelete- Hemapriya
TN is renowned for its rich culture heritage, traditions. this post was informative.
ReplyDeleteThanks CinemaVirumbi, Hemapriya and Sushma
ReplyDeleteRegards
Priya
I feel the deity looks very much like the deity in Thirumeeyachur near mayavaram if I am not mistaken. Nice article.
ReplyDeleteVery Informative. Details provokes me to make a trip. With the lucid descriptions & informations a trip can be well planned.
ReplyDeletekeep it up
Best Wishes
V.Sridharan
Trichy
Very interesting, great history
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, The posture is indeed similar. Thanks Mr. Sridharan and Vikram
ReplyDeleteRegards
Priya
Beautiful story (the history, I mean) to go with an informative post!!!
ReplyDeleteVery informative post.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much NNNiiiXXX and Seema! Regards Priya
ReplyDeleteGreat post.. Great blog..
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. The pictures are also good, nice post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Pravin and Aakash!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting history behind this beautiful temple.. The pictures are delightful alongwith the wonderful write-up.. I would love to visit it someday, especially during the festival time..
ReplyDeletethanks for the write up clear directions will visit the temple thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks Arti and Rads
ReplyDeleteHi Priya, Very informative and nice pictures. Inviting you to visit Thirumayam Sri Sathya Moorthy swamy vishnu temple and write a review on it. Few details can be found at http://www.thirumayam.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Thanks so much Mr Murugesan. Looking forward to visiting soon. Regards, Priya
ReplyDeleteHi Priya i just visit your blog it's really awesome. I think people should go through it. i appreciate your work. Thank you for sharing such a nice information.
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Hi Priya,
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your effort and good intention in writing these blogs. Most helpful to all. Could you please provide me with the phone number & address of this temple if possible (atleast phone number). It would be of great help. Thanks..
The address of the temple is
ReplyDeleteShiva Vishnu Temple, Mudichur, Chennai - 600048
Regarding phone number, I do not have the priest's numbers as there was some governance issue on the day I visited and hence no priest was willing to talk. However, you can get in touch with Mr. P Damodharan, who is not only the President of Mudichur Panchayat, but also the Trustee of the temple at 93821 14777. He will provide all the necessary information and guidance.
Best wishes, Priya
Hi Priya...
ReplyDeleteTHe blog was good initiative..which helped me to visit the temple yday.
Brief description of my visit to the temple, hope this would help first timers............
1. Reach Tambaram bus stand. From there share auto go to Mudichur it shoud take around 15 mins costing Rs10/-.The share auto will drop on the main road. From there we walked for 15-20 mins to temple talking direction from the locals over there.
The pujari asked us to buy archanai plate along with yellow thread which is tied over turmeric that is available in shop few meters away from the temple.(Rs30/-)
At 6pm there was deeparthanai then archanai was performed. Currently there is no tag given by the temple to identify our thread so we had to write in a paper (name ,DOB.... to indentify our thread) and tie it along with the thread. We should tie the sacred yellow thread only with two knots.
The pujari said once wedding is fixed:
1. We need to come back identify the thread (remember what we wrote on paper)
2. Ask our spouse to put the 3rd knot.
3. Then perform archanai to Goddess Vidhyambikai
4. Give the sacred thread to any married woman outside our blood relation.
I have visited the temple several times off late. Very interesting to know the history of the temple through this blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat work.
- Kiruba Sankar Vasudevan
is there any auspicious day to do speedy wedding pariharam in this temple
ReplyDeleteGenerally Fridays are very crowded. But no prescribed day as such
DeleteHi mam, How far it is from Chennai airport ? or which is the nearest airport for this temple?
ReplyDeleteIt is about half an hour drive from Chennai airport which is the nearest airport to the temple
DeleteI just visited this temple today (14/6/15) which kindled my interest in knowing the history of the temple. Your blog helped me. Thanks Priya...
ReplyDeleteI just visited this temple today (14/6/15) which kindled my interest in knowing the history of the temple. Your blog helped me. Thank you mam...
ReplyDeleteto day -5-9-15 i visited this temple
ReplyDeletevery informative,good efforts thank you ,to day i visited this temple very nice to see
ReplyDeleteCan i visit this temple with my lover ?
ReplyDeleteHi priya , i am Ganesh thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteHi priya , i am Ganesh thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteBetiji very informative and thanks a lot and the God blessings always should be showered on you. Keep the same .
ReplyDeleteI came from karnataka in oct 16. Staying in mudichur road near Bye pass. Was not knowing about this temple and its relevance. Thanks for the MSg May god bless all
ReplyDeleteHi am getting dream about one amman. Vaigarai amman. Pls anyone know wer it is ??
ReplyDeleteThanks madam.ohm Namashivaya
ReplyDelete