| Description This Divya
Desam is located at a distance of about 10 km from Madurai. References to Tirumogur are seen in the sangam period
tamil works such as Akanaanooru, Paditrupattu, Maduraikkanchi and Silappadikaram. Deities:
The Moolavar here is Kaalamega Perumaal in a standing posture facing east, bearing a mace.
The festival image of Tirumogur Aaptan bears five weapons. Taayaar in a separate sanctum
bears the names Mohanavalli, Megavalli, Mogurvalli. There is another shrine here to Vishnu
in a reclining posture (Palli Konda Perumaal). The iconography of Sudarshana is
interesting here; viewed as Chakkarattaalwar from the front and Narasimha from the rear,
with 154 aksharas carved within 6 circles, bearing 16 arms in 16 hands, with three eyes
and flanked by 48 devatas.
Legend has it that Vishnu distributed the celestial nectar Amritam to
the Devas, in the guise of the enchantress Mohini, and hence the name Mohanakshetram or
Mohanapuram. Legend has it that Pulastya muni had a vision of Vishnu here at this shrine.
This temple with 4 prakarams covers an area of 2.5 acres. The
Kambattadi Mandapam has beautifully carved pillars. A five tiered rajagopuram marks the
entrance to the temple. Also in the Garuda Mandapam, are interesting carvings of Rama,
Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Manmathan and Rathi. The vimanam here is of great beauty. The
temple tanks here are referred to as Periya Tirupparkadal and Siriya Tirupparkadal (legend
has it that a drop of the celestial nectar amritam fell into the temple tank). This temple
was renovated earlier in the 20th century. The stala vriksham is the vilva tree. There are
shrines to Krishna, Aandaal, the Alwars and Hanuman. There are stone inscriptions from the
period of the pandavas, the Vijayanagara kings and local chieftains.
Festivals: Six worship servies are carried out each day in the
Pancharatra Agama protocol. The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi,
when the Mohini Avataram is enacted. Gajendra Moksham is celebrated in the nearby
Narasimha temple. Panguni Uthiram, Aadi Pooram, Krishna Jayanti, Navaratri and Vaikuntha
Ekadasi are also celebrated here. |
