Adavalleeswarar Temple - Munnur

                                                            Om Namashivaya 

Adavalleeswarar temple is believed to be more than 1300 years old as per inscriptions found here. Kulothunga Chola has contributed to the development of this already famous temple. Later Kulothunga Chola II did more contributions and made this temple grand and huge. He named this village ‘Munnootru Mangalam’ which over time got corrupted to today’s Munnur. Inscriptions in the Adavalleeswarar temple reveal that once upon a time, the village was prosperous receiving grants from the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas and other territorial Kings like Nalliyakodan, Sambuvarayars, Athiyaman, Kangeya Rayan, Bangala Rayan etc.

The place was also known as Munnutrumangalam, Minnam and Mujnoor as per the inscriptions and ancient literature. Sirupanatrupadai is one of the Sangam Literature collections written by Nallur Nathathanar contains some significant notes about this ancient Munnur. During 1968, Mambalam Viyaragavalu Reddy, came here to worship Lord Shiva. The temple was in dilapidated condition during his visit. Lord Shiva appeared in his dreams and instructed him to reconstruct the temple. He told this to Kanchi Mutt Maha Periyava. They visited the temple in 1969.

On seeing the ruined condition of the temple, Mahaperiyava asked Reddy to start the renovation immediately and gave Rs 1121, as Kanchi Mutt’s share towards renovation. Sri Kirupanandha Variyar also contributed some amount from the money received through discourse. Thiruvalam Sri Sivananda Mouna Guru Swamigal also participated and made donations to this divine work. After 10 years of hard work the Kumbabhishekam was conducted on 19th June 1978. 

 

This is a rare south facing temple dating from the Chola period. Balipeedam, Dwajastambam and Nandhi can be found on a raised platform facing the sanctum located outside the Temple. The temple tank is situated on the right side of the Temple. The remains of Rajagopuram can be found after the Nandi. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapam, Madhavarayan Mandapam (16 pillared Muhamandapam), Mahamandapam and a front Mukamandapam.

 

Since, this temple and the presiding is facing South direction, the devotees who worship in this temple will have a long life. If any threat to the life due to the position of Grahas in their horoscope will be vanished after made worship at this temple and be blessed by the God with a prosperous long and peaceful life. The Devotees who worship here will be cured off from any prolonging unidentified diseases. Since, the deity facing south and in the sight of Lord Guru, unmarried persons particularly those who are searching for suitable alliance for a very long time may come and worship here hopefully for early and happy married life.

 

If we made worship to the Vinayaga and Nagaraja existing below the Sthala Vriksha will reduce the bad reactions and disturbances created by the Grahas of Raghu and Kethu. If any person takes holy dip in the Brahmatheertham at the time of Gurupeyarchi (the sacred tank) and perform poojas to Lord Adavalleeswarar, they will be showered by the blessings of Lord Guru.

 

 

He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. He is housed in a round Avudayar on a padma Peedam and the Komugam is on the east side instead of usual north side. The Sanctum is situated in a structure like Neerazhi Mandapam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.

 

Even though the temple is facing south, the deva Koshta idols are positioned in the clock wise direction from Vinayaga to Durga keeping Vishnu on the back of the presiding deity. Normally, Dakshinamoorthy will be facing south but in this Temple, he is facing east. Bhooda Gana series can be seen on the top of pothiyal. The three tier Vesara vimana is above the sanctum. Chandikeswarar can be found in his usual location.

 

Mother is called as Brahan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. Her Shrine is situated in the Mukamandapam and she is facing west. The Temple has three Mothers – Brihannayagi, Eswari and Kamakshi. Brahan Nayagi was originally in a separate east facing shrine, called Kamakotta Nachiyar / Kamakshi, on the east side of the temple. Her Shrine was destroyed during Muslim invasion, a New Mother Shrine was built in the Muhamandapam during 1978 Kumbabhishekam. The damaged Mother Idol is kept outside under a shed. The pillars are used for reconstruction of the front mandapam.

 

There is also another Thayar (called as Eswari) Idol in the Temple premises. There is a Panel containing the reliefs of Brahma, Shiva Lingam, Parvathi, Murugan and Narasimha. This panel was made out of soap stone and belongs to 7th to 8th Century. 

Location:

The Temple is situated on Tindivanam to Marakkanam Road. The Temple is situated at about 3 Kms from Aalangkuppam Bus Stop at Tindivanam to Marakkanam Road. 130 Km from chennai.