Thiru Moghur | Sri Kaalamegha Perumal Temple | Divya Desams - 092

About the Temple & Location:

This divyadesam is situated in Madurai district, 8 Kms from Madurai. The bus frequency is less and no lodging facilities are available. One has to get down in Thirumogur while travelling from Madurai to Meloor. As per Hindu legend, the presiding deity is believed to have appeared as a female Mohini to lure the asuras to support Devas, the celestial deities. The temple is also known as Mohanapuram and Mohanakshetram.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and three of its four bodies of water. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower and a huge temple tank in front of it. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandyas, with later additions from the Madurai Nayaks.

Sthlapuranam :

Long ago, the Indiran (Indra) and all the other devas were given the curse (sabham) to loose all of their wealth and their power. They got frightened on the Asurars and sought the help of Sriman Narayanan. To regain their lost power, Sri Emperumaan said that he will help them out in gaining their lost power and advised them to get out the Amirdham (nectar) from the paarkadal.

At the same time, the Asuras also wanted their existing power to increase, thereby coming to extract the Amirdham (Nectar) from paarkadal. At that time, Sri Vishnu to the Avathaar of Kurma, thereby helping to extract the nectar.

The devars are found on one side and the Asuras are found on the other side, thereby trying to extract the Nectar. The first thing to come of it is the “Kaala Khoota Visham” (the poison). Since this being a dreadful poison, Lord Shiva came and swallowed it and thereby got the name as “Neela Kandan”. Since the person’s body turns blue after the poison is taken, and since the poison stays on the neck of Lord Shiva, he is given the name as “Neela Kandan” Neela – means blue and Kandan – means the neck.

And after the poison came out, lots of good things came out of it to enrich the world. Dhanvanthri, the doctor of perumal, 60 crores dancing Rambhais, their friends, a horse by named “Ucchai Siravaran”, the spiritual and the wealth giving cow, the Kama dhenu, Iyaravadha elephant,which was given as the Vaahanam (Vehicle) of Indiran, Kousthuvamani, Sri Lakshmi, Moodevi the tree Karpaga Virutsham, the tree that gives lots of wealth. Varuna Kumari Vaaruni came out. These are the things that emerged out of the Paarkadal, while the Asuraas and the Devars were trying to extract the Amirtham.

And finally, the Amirdham, for which they were trying to get came from Paarkadal. Sriman Narayanan doesnt want it to go to the Asuras since that might even increase the strength of them, more. So to help out the Devars in regaining their power, he took another form (or) avatar of Mohini, a beautiful woman. The beauty of the Mohini could be explained, since she was so beautiful and the people who see her get disturbed. The Emperumaan, who took the form of Mohini and decided that he will distribute the Amirdham for both Devas and Asuraas. They both agreed to this. On seeing the beauty of Mohini, the Asuraas didn’t care much about the Amirtham and all were attracted by the beauty of Mohini. At that time, Sriman Narayanan gave all the Amirdham to the Devars and helped them in getting back their lost power.

There is another sweet story of why Lord Sriman Narayaba took the Mohini avatar. Sri Lakshmi, who came out of the Paarkadal, was one of the most beautiful women in the world. But, by taking Mohini Avatar the Perumal has reduced her thought that she is not only the beautiful woman, but many are there.

On seeing the beauty of Mohini avatar, Lord Shiva too got attracted towards the beauty and as a result of this only from the Gnana eye of Lord Shiva, Lord Iyyappan was born. The name “Moghur” was given to this sthalam, only because of the beauty of Mohini avatar taken by Sriman Narayanan.

Moghur Emperumaan, who is also called as “Kaalameghap perumal” is resembling in posture like Sri Varadharajar is found in Kanchi, having the Gadha in his left hand and the right hand is positioned in such way that it gives the varam for hsi bhaktas in Nindra kolam facing east direction.

The temple is surrounded by huge walls and outside the temple we found the “Ksheeraapthi Pushkarani”. First is found the entrance of the temple which is facing to the east direction on entering in to the Vaasal, we can find the “Kambatthadi Mandapam”. In this mandapam, the stone carved beautiful statues of chinna Marudhu and Periya Marudhu statues are found, who helped for the welfare of this temple. Next to it is found the Garuda Mandapam. In this mandapam, we can see the sculptures of Kothanda Ramar, Sita piratti, Lakshmanan, Kama devan, Rathi devi are found and also a small sannadhi for Garudan is found after this mandapam.

As we enter the temple, on the southern side, a separate sannadhi for the perumal is found where he gives his seva in Sayana thirukolam (Sleeping kolam) along with Sridevi and Bhoomi pirattiyaar. He is found underneath the Adhiseshan, the bed of the perumal. There are also 7 sayana thirukolam of this perumal is found and they are :

Bogha Sayanam.

Veera Sayanam.

Sthala Sayanam.

Aanandha Sayanam.

Bala Sayanam.

Uthana Sayanam and

Prathana Sayanam.

Prathana sayanam is the peculiar type of sayanam of the perumal and it is one of the rare positions to be found. The thaayars are found along the feet of the perumal in sitting position and praying towards him to give his darshan for their devotees.

And after finally seeing these, we can find the Moolavar sannadhi, where the Kaalamegapperumal is giving his seva with his erect body well stretched and on the right hand is positioned in such a way, it gives varam for the devotees and on the left hand is found the Gadha and found along with Periya Pirattiyaar and Bhoomi Pirattiyaar in Nindra thirukkolam facing along the east direction.

Kaala megam means dark clouds that bear the rain in it and since the rain drops on to the earth to the perumal is named “Kaalamegapperumal” giving all the necessary varams that people need.

The special thing that has to be explained about this sthalam is the sudharsana Alwar who is found in this sthalam. He is one of the Panja Aayutham of Sri Vishnu. The Sudharsana Alwar is found with sixteen hands with 16 different weapons in his hands. He is found in the “Prathyaaleetha” position which means a person running to help the bhaktas, who worship him.

To the back side of Sudharsana alwar, Narasimhar is in yoga position. He is found along with Chakra and Sangu in his hands. Both the Moolavar and the Utsavar Vigraham are so identical and it is very rare to see both in the same way. Both, the Sudharsana Alwar and Narasimhar are surrounded by the rays of flame of the fire.

History

Sangam literature details about this place being prosperous during the time. The documentation from Ptolemy (c. AD 100 – c. 170) also makes reference to this place. Inscription from the temple - South Outer wall's inside - Archaeological report on Epigraphy - 330 of 1918 - and Tamil Nadu State Archaeology's Madurai District Inscriptions - Vol. I - page no. 229 - Sl. no. 141 of 2003 - identifies the builder of the temple as sri Kaala Maegam alias Kaangaeyan during the reign of Sadaiya Varman Sundhara Pandiyan (Later Pandiya king) in his regnal year 7 + 1 (i.e. after the 7th year was over and the eighth year was in progress) which is identified as AD 1259. This inscription besides identifying the above speaks of an endowment of ponds and adjoining areas duly specifying the boundaries of the land. The current structure is believed to have been built by the Madurai Nayaks. During the later part, there were additions made by the Marudu brothers, whose images are also housed in the temple. Thirumohur was an impregnable fort during the period of the British. During the Carnatic Wars, there was an attempt made by a Muslim general, but it was repulsed by the local devotees. The inscriptions from the period of Nayaks have been recorded by the Archaeological survey.

During the Carnatic Wars in 1755, British general colonel Heron looted the idols and treasures from this temple. When he was moving away with all treasures with camels, the British force was attacked by Kallars, who took back the idols and temple treasures.

In memory of this event, even today god in this temple used to come like a Kallar man. Also the rights for pulling temple cars were given to Kallars of Tirumokur, Poolampatti, Kodikulam, Chittampatti, Vovaal Thottam and Aalinangarai.

Architecture

The temple is located in Thirumohur, a village located 20 km (12 mi) away from Madurai. The temple is situated on a 2.5-acre (10,000 m2) land area, and has a 5 tier rajagopuram. The temple is more than 2000 years old and has been referred to in akanaṉūṟu, Pathitrupathu, madurai kanchi and also in one of the five great epics of Tamil literature, silappatikaram. There are four prakarams(closed precincts of a temple) inside the temple. The main deity (Moolavar) is Kalamegaperumal in panchayudha kolam and in a standing posture, Thayar - Mogavalli, Utsavar - Thirumogur Aabthan, Theertham - Kshirabtha Pushkarini, Thala Viruksham - Vilvam and Vimanam - Kethaki Vimanam. The Prathanasayana appearance of the main deity is not found anywhere in 108 divya desam temples. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower). There are columned pillars in the hall leading to the Garuda hall, which also has a small gopuram. The sanctum houses the shrine of Kalamegha and also has the images of Bhudevi and Sridevi. The major feature is that unlike other temples, the Devis do not touch the feet of the presiding deity. A separate shrine accommodates the image of Anantasayi Vishnu. The consort of the presiding deity, Tirumohurvalli (also called Mohanavalli) is housed in a separate shrine.

The front of the Sudarshana Chakra is Chakrathazhvar and the back side is Narasingha Perumal, situated amidst 48 fairies and inside the six circles there are 16 aayuthams with 154 letters. The letters are believed to be texts from Beejakshara Mantra. Perumal is depicted with 16 hands and three eyes glowing like fire. The image of Chakrathazhwar in the temple is depicted with sixteen hands each holding different weapons. On the reverse side of the image, Narsimha is depicted.

Festivals and religious practices

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis based on pancharatra Agama. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), nivedhanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Kalamega Perumal and Mohanavalli. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The major festival is the ten-day Vaikasi Brammotsavam celebrated during May–June. The other festivals are Vaikunta Ekadasi (December–January), Gajendra Moksham during the Masi Poornima day in February – March, two day Panguni Thirukalyanam (March–April) and Krishna Jayanthi.

Literary mention

The temple is glorified in the verses of Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Tirumangai Azhwar and Nammazhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Manavala Mamunigal, Kalamegha Pulavar, Tiruninravur Tirumalai and Pillai Perumal Iyengar have composed verses on the deity. Out of the eighteen Puranas, Brahmanda Purana and Matsya Purana make specific mention of Thirumohur.

Specials:

The Sudharsana Alwar is found with sixteen hands with 16 different weapons in his hands. He is found in the “Prathyaaleetha” position which means a person running to help the bhaktas, who worship him.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Kaalamegha Perumal. Moolavar is found in Nindra Thirukkolam facing his thirumugam in East direction. He found along with the Gadha in his left hand. The perumal is pratyaksham for Brahmadevan, Indiran and Ajaruthar.

Thaayar:

The Thaayar of this sthalam is “Moghur Valli”. She is also named as Mohana valli. She has her own separate sannadhi.

Utsavar:

The Utsavar of this sthalam is Thirumogur Aapthan. The Emperumaan Panja Aayuthams (weapons) are all found in his hands.

Mangalasasanam:

Nammalwar – 11 Paasurams

Thirumangaialwar – 1 Paasurams
Total – 12 Paasurams.

Pushkarani: Ksheeraapthi Pushkarani.

Vimanam:

Kethaki Vimaanam. Kethan is the another name of Lord Balaramar, who was actually born to Vasudevar and Devaki, but was replaced in Rohini’s stomach. As a result of this only, the vimanam is named as “Kethaki Vimaanam”.