Visited on: 12th August, 2017
Location
Sethalapathy is situated at a distance of about 25 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur route. First travel to Poonthottam (20 kms) and then to Sethalapathy (5 kms). Nearest railway station is Poonthottam which is about 3 kms away from this temple.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thirumiyachur, Thirumiyachur Ilamkoil, Thiru Anniyur, Thiruppampuram, Serukudi, Thiruveezhimizhalai, Thiru Kottaram, Ambal Maakalam and Ambar Perunthirukkoil.
Another notable temple near this place is the temple for Goddess Saraswathy in Koothanur.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Madhimuktheswarar, Sri Mandaravaneswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Porkodi Nayaki, Sri Swarnavalli, Sri Maragatha Valli
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Surya Theertham, Chandra Theertham and river Arisilaru
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Mantharai tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 58 Shiva Sthalams on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This is a famous “parihara sthalam” for conducting ancestral rites similar to that performed in Rameswaram.
- This east facing temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3 tiers. However, the back side of the tower is flat (without any reliefs). The temple has a single corridor.
- The sanctum’s tower is called “Dhuvithala Vimanam”.
- The last consecration (Kumbabishekam) ceremony took place on 08.07.2012 and prior to that on 25.08.1999.
History of the Temple
The temple is situated on the southern banks of the river Arisilaru which is flowing in the north to south direction. Rivers flowing in such direction are called “Uthiravahini”.
The historical names of this place are Thilathai Pathi and Thilatharpanapuri. However, now it is known as Sethalapathy. The historical name of the temple is Madhimutham.
Legend
The legend is that once Lord Brahma fell in love with the celestial angel Urvasi. For this reason, he was cursed by Lord Shiva to go to the earth and worship him. It is believed that Brahma visited Thilatharpanapuri and performed rigorous penance. Lord Shiva granted him darshan and relieved him from the curse.
Lord Ram and Lakshmana are believed to have learnt about the news of their father King Dasaratha’s demise here. They performed the “Thila Tharpanam” for their father here. “Thilam” means gingili seeds and “Tharpanam” means performing rites in Tamil. “Thila Tharpanam” is a ceremony that is offered to departed ancestors by male descendants. It is also believed that Lord Ram performed these rites for his affectionate bird “Jatayu” (Jatayu is the king of vultures) here.
The idol of Lord Ram with four lingams can be seen in the corridors. The legend is that when Lord Ram performed “Thila Tharpanam”, he kept four rice balls (Pindam) which later became the four lingams. Lord Ram’s idol is quite unique – he can be seen sitting on his right leg and performing the rites. Since the lord is believed to have been given salvation to Lord Ram’s father here, the lord is praised as Sri Muktheeswarar (“Mukthi” means salvation in Tamil). This is the reason why this place also gets the name “Thila Tharpana Puri”, which was later changed to Sethalapathy.
Another legend associated with this place is that of a king from Banaras (Kasi) called Narchothi. The king wanted to perform the ritual ceremony for his deceased father. However, he wanted to offer food (pindam) to his ancestors directly. He tried travelling to many places but his offering was not accepted anywhere. It is believed that in this place his “Thila Tharpanam” offer was finally accepted by his ancestors. Hence this place is considered to be very auspicious to perform the ritual ceremonies for departed ancestors.
It is believed that Goddess Parvathy, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Brahma, Lord Suryan, Lord Chandran and king Narchothi have worshiped Lord Shiva here. It is also believed that an elephant and a lion have worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar with Sivakami, Ram, Lakshman, the Lingams worshiped by Ram, Kasi Visvanathar, Nagar, Gajalakshmi, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalvar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the corridors.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai can be seen.
A small shrine for Lord Mandaravaneswarar (Lord Shiva) can be seen under the temple’s sthala viruksham (Manthara tree).
A unique feature of this temple is that Lord Mahavishnu is seen in three places in three different postures – as Lord Ram, as Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar and as Perumal along with Sreedevi and Poodevi.
Salient Features
One of the important deities of this temple is “Nara Mukha Ganapathy” who can be seen in a separate shrine near the entrance of the temple. This Vinayakar has a human face. This is a rare form of Lord Vinayakar and is also popularly known as “Aadhi Vinayakar”.
Goddess Parvathy is praised here as “Sri Swarnavalli”. “Swarnam” means gold in Tamil. Those who are fond of gold and want to acquire it can visit this temple and worship the goddess to seek her blessings.
Most of the idols in this temple display exquisite craftsmanship. The idols of Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Ram, Goddess Durgai, Nalvars and Perumal are especially noteworthy.
There are 7 places that are considered to be very auspicious for performing rituals for deceased ancestors. They are Banaras, Gaya, Rameswaram, Srivanchiam, Thiruvenkadu, Thilatharpanapuri (Sethalapathy) and the Thiriveni Sangam at Allahabad.
It is believed that both Lord Suryan and Lord Chandran worshiped the lord here simultaneously. Hence all days are considered here as “new moon day” (Amavasya). In this temple, their idols are also kept together.
It is believed that for conducting the ritual ceremony in this place, there is no need to see the date and time, any date is considered auspicious.
Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned that those who recite this hymn sincerely and regularly would definitely reach Lord Shiva’s abode. He also referred to this place as “Madhimutham”. The saint also mentioned in his hymn that Lord Shiva here was worshiped by Lord Suryan, Lord Chandran, an elephant and a lion.
Beautiful paintings of all the 63 Nayanmars can be seen on the walls of the main hall in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
Greatness of this temple
Similar to Rameswaram, performing rituals for ancestors here is considered to be of great significance.
This is a parihara sthalam for “Pithru Dosha”.
Important Festival
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are –
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar),
Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),
Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Special poojas are also performed on new moon days.
Temple Timings
From 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Madhimuktheeswarar Temple
Sethalapathy,
Poonthottam Post,
Nannilam Taluk,
Thiruvarur District,
Tamil Nadu – 609503.
Tele: 04366 - 238818, 239700, 94427 14055.
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