Mullaivana Nathar temple, Thentirumullaiayil
Location: Then-Tiru-Mullai-Vayil
Deity known as: Mullaivana Nathar
Female Deity: Anikonda Kothai, Satyananda Soundari
Pathikam: Sambandar - 1
Gallery – Mullaivana Nathar Temple, Thentirumullaiayil
How to Reach
This shiva temple at Thentirumullaiayil is situated about 14 km from Sirkazhi, with regular bus facilities connecting the two. The temple can be reached in approximately 20 minutes by road from Vaitheeswaran Koil. It is best to plan your visit during the morning hours or in the early evening before sunset, as the temple tends to close earlier compared to those in more central locations. Visitors are advised to check the exact opening and closing timings in advance to avoid inconvenience. For more information Contact Us.
On the way to Tirumullaivayil, devotees can also visit the Paadal Petra Sivasthalam at Tiru-Kurukavur (about 8 km away) by taking a branch road at Vadakal village bus stop. From the bus stop, the temple is located approximately 1 km inside.
Temple Address
Tirumullaivayil
Tirumullaivayil Post
Sirkazhi Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN – 609113
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 – 12:00
Evening: 4:00 – 8:00
Near by Temples
| 1 | Tiru-Kalikamur - 12 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Ven-Kaadu - 14 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Kurukavur-Velladai - 8 kms |
Location Map
Temple Layout
Coastal Temple
Tirumullaivasal is a serene coastal temple located on the northern bank of the Uppanaru River. The temple features a modest entrance without an elaborate gopuram, reflecting its simple and tranquil setting. Inside, devotees can find the Nandi mandapam, dwajasthambam, and balipeetam aligned along the approach to the sanctum. The presiding deity, Mullai-vana-Nathar, appears as a three-foot tall swayambhu Linga and is also revered as Masilamani Eeswarar and Yoothika Parameshwarar.
Other Deities
The temple consists of a single prakaram housing sannidhis for Varasiddhi Vinayaka, Shanmukha Subramania with Valli and Deivanai, Dakshinamurthy, Bhairavar, and Tirugnanasambandar. The Dakshinamurthy here is especially captivating, radiating a profound divine presence. The sthala viruksham of this temple is the Mullai tree, while the sacred theerthams associated with the temple are Brahma Theertham and Chandra Theertham.
Sacred Water bodies
It is believed that Ganga is eternally present in the well located at the north-west corner of the temple, known as the Vayu Moola. Chandra, the celestial deity, is said to have bathed in the Brahma Theertham situated in the south-west corner, referred to as the Agni Moola, to be relieved of his affliction.
Notable Feature
A distinctive feature of this temple is the absence of a Palli-arai and its associated rituals. This is attributed to the belief that Uma Devi received the sacred Panchakshara Mantra directly from Dakshinamurthy in a revered guru–shishya (teacher–disciple) tradition. It is further believed that devotees who visit this temple and chant the Panchakshara Mantra during solar and lunar eclipses will attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Sthala Purana
According to the Sthala Purana, a Chozha king named Killi Valavan suffered from a severe skin ailment. On the advice of royal physicians to bathe in a sacred water body near a Shiva temple, the king arrived at the seashore near this shrine. At that time, the area was densely covered with Mullai creepers, which entangled the hooves of his horse and brought it to a halt. As the king tried to cut the vines with his sword, he unknowingly struck a concealed Shiva Linga, causing it to bleed. Shocked and distressed, he cleared the overgrowth and, upon witnessing the bleeding Linga, was filled with remorse and even contemplated ending his life. Moved by his devotion, Shiva appeared before him in the form of Rishabarudar, and it is believed that the mark of the king’s sword can still be seen on the Linga to this day.
In this temple, Shiva is revered in the role of a divine guru, as Uma Devi is believed to have worshipped Mullai-vana-Nathar to receive the knowledge of the sacred Panchakshara Mantra. The pathikam on this temple, composed by Tirugnanasambandar, is included in the 2nd Tirumurai.
There are two temples bearing the name Tirumullaivayil. To distinguish between them, the temple located in Thondai Nadu is referred to as Vada-Tirumullaivayil, while the one near Sirkazhi is known as Then-Tirumullaivayil (situated to the north of the Kaveri River).
Gallery – Mullaivana Nathar Temple, Thentirumullaiayil
