Vada Thirumullaivayil (Thirumullaivoyal) Paadal Petra Sthalam - Masilamaneeshwarar Temple

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Masilamaneeshwarar and Sri Latha Matyambigai (Kodiyidai Amman) in Vada Thirumullaivayil (Thirumullaivoyal) Paadal Petra Sthalam.

• Greatness: Vada Thirumullaivayil (Thirumullaivoyal) is a Paadal Petra Sthalam whose hymn was sung by Sundarar. It is the 21st Paadal Petra Sthalam located in Thondai Nadu. The name Thirumullaivayil is derived from Mullai (Mallika or Arabian Jasmine) shrubs which abounded in this place. The name Masilamaneeshwarar is derived from Maasu (Stains), Ila (not, without), Mani (Gem) and Ishwar (Lord). So it means the Lord is a gem without a stain.

• Puranic Events:

1. Lord Shiva & Thondaiman: Lord Shiva helped king Thondaiman in battle. Thondaiman built the temple after victory.
- Brief story: During the reign of king Thondaiman who ruled over the Kanchipuram area, the demons Onan, Kanthan and Vannan were tormenting the common people. The demons worshipped Bhairava and ruled over another area (around the current Puzhal). The king tried to bring peace but failed in his efforts. The king also waged wars against the demons but was not successful in his efforts as the demons were protected by Bhairava. Once when king Thondaiman was returning unsuccessful from the battle, the feet of his elephant got entangled in the Mullai (Mallika or Arabian Jasmine) shrubs. When the king started clearing the shrubs with his sword, he found blood oozing out from a place. He was shocked and discovered a Shiva Lingam from which blood was coming. The king in grief tried to end his life when Lord Shiva appeared with Devi Parvati (on his right) and prevented the king from inflicting self-injury. Lord Shiva told Thondaiman to build a temple there and asked Nandi to accompany the king in the battle. With the help of Nandi, king Thondaiman vanquished the demons. The king seized two pillars of Vellerukku (Calotropis) trees which adorned the worship place (of Bhairava) of the demons. After his victory king Thondaiman built the temple of Lord Shiva in this place.
- Note: Lord Shiva appeared before the king with Devi Parvati on his right, so in the temple the shrine of Ambal is on the right of the shrine of Lord Shiva. The Shiva Lingam has scar marks due to the injury by the sword of king Thondaiman. The Shiva Lingam is always covered with sandalwood paste which is replaced only during the month of Chittirai when Sathaya Nakshatra presides. The two pillars of Vellerukku trees can be seen on the sides of the Shiva Lingam. Nandi here faces the eastern direction (towards Puzhal) instead of directly facing Lord Shiva. Kodiyidai Amman is one of the Tri-Shakti temples of Chennai. The Tri-Shakti temples are Thiruvudai Amman Temple at Melur (near Minjur) (Iccha Shakti), Vadivudai Amman Temple at Thiruvotriyur (Gnana Shakti) and Kodiyidai Amman Temple at Thirumullaivoyil (Kriya Shakti). It is considered meritorious to visit these temples on a single day in the morning, afternoon and evening respectively.

• Deities:
- Masilamaneeshwarar: Lingam of Sri Masilamaneeshwarar.
- Kodiyidai Amman: Image of Devi Kodiyidai Amman.
- Nandi: Image of Nandi facing the eastern direction.
- Thondaiman: Image of king Thondaiman.

• Sacred Geography:
- Mullai Vanam: This place was the Mullai Vanam (forest of Mullai shrubs) in ancient times.
- Mullai Shrub: Sthala Vriksha of the temple.
- Kalyana Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple.

• Location: Vada Thirumullaivayil (Thirumullaivoyal) is located in the Chennai district of Tamil Nadu. This is in Thondai Nadu. The temple can be visited from Chennai (within Chennai city).

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5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
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