Thirumoolar / Tirumular Temple & Thirumoolar Jeeva Samadhi at Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in Mayiladuthurai – One of the 18 Revered Siddhars Who Attained Jeeva Samadhi at This Temple : Visit, Temple Timings, History, Contact Number, Travel Guide (Updated)
– experiencing the divine connection between lord shiva and the great saint
The Thirumoolar / Tirumular, also known as Suntaranāthar’s Jeeva Samadhi is located at the Gomuktheeswarar Temple in Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, near Kuthalam in Mayiladuthurai district. A separate shrine has been constructed in honor of Saint Thirumoolar at the spot where he attained Jeeva Samadhi. The temple is located between Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. It is 17 km South West of Mayiladuthurai. The Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, one of the oldest and most respected Shiva mutts, administers the temple and plays a key role in the upkeep of several Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.
This temple is overseen by the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam and is known by two names: Masilamaniswarar Temple and Go-Muktheeswarar Temple, the latter name reflecting the blessing of a sacred cow. Lord Shiva in this temple is revered as a Swayambumurthi, meaning self-manifested. It is one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the revered saints Appar, Sambandhar, and Sundarar have composed their sacred hymns, known as Pathigams. The temple is famous for housing one of the largest Nandis in Tamil Nadu, standing around fifteen feet tall. Legend says that the many Nandis of the temple united into this one colossal Nandi, symbolizing unity and power.
Of the sub-temples associated with the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, this temple is particularly honored as the Nandi Sthalam, and it is considered highly auspicious to worship Nandi here.
Saint Thirumoolar, one of the 63 Nayanmars and one of the 18 revered Siddhars, is said to have attained Jeeva Samadhi at this very location. Adjacent to his Samadhi is a space dedicated to meditation, which is considered highly conducive to entering a meditative state. His main work is the Thirumandiram (literal meaning – ‘Sacred mantra’ or ‘Holy incantation’) that describes various aspects, from Science and Medicine to the Human aspects of Life and the Divine – Lord Shiva.
This temple continues to be a sacred site where devotees can seek blessings and meditate in the presence of Thirumoolar’s Jeeva Samadhi, experiencing the divine connection between Lord Shiva and the great saint.
Thirumoolar’s Journey
Thirumoolar, originally known as Sundaranathar, was a Shivayogi who descended from Mount Kailash, the divine abode of Lord Shiva. He was one of the eight principal disciples of Nandi Devar, through whom he attained the eight siddhis (spiritual powers) and perfect enlightenment. Sundaranathar’s guru, Maharishi Nandinatha, instructed him to travel to South India to propagate Shaiva Siddhanta. It was during this journey that he came to Thiruvavaduthurai.
At the Kaveri Riverbank, Thirumoolar witnessed a scene that deeply moved him: a herd of cows weeping for their shepherd, Moolan, who had passed away. In an act of compassion, Thirumoolar entered the body of Moolan through his yogic power known as “Parakaya Pravesam” (entering another’s body). He then guided the cows back to their village. When Moolan’s family approached him, he distanced himself, declaring his divine detachment. After fulfilling his compassionate mission, Thirumoolar tried to retrieve his own body, but it had disappeared, dissolved by the grace of Lord Shiva. Accepting this, he embraced his new life as Thirumoolar and embarked on his divine mission.
Rishi Thirumoolar then traveled towards the Thiruvavaduthurai temple, sat under a Peepal tree (Ficus Religiosa), and went into his yogic samadhi state. He composed the THIRUMANDIRAM with 3,000 hymns uttered whenever he came out of samadhi states and written on palm leaves. Tradition holds that composing one hymn per year took him 3,000 years to compose these hymns. It contains four ways of attaining salvation: SARIYAI (service), KIRAYI (creation), YOGAM (meditation), and GYANAM (True Knowledge). Along with 3,000 hymns given by Thirumoolar, 300 mantras were given by him, and 30 preachings. These three revelations will remain forever. However, Thirumoolar did not release his hymns to the world immediately as he thought the world was not yet ready to receive their true nature. He hid (buried) the palm leaves under the earth on which Thirumandiram was written, near the flag pillar near Thiruvavaduthurai temple.
After 4,000 years, a highly respected Naayanmaar, one of the four Nayanmars (the teachers of Shiva) named Thirugnana Sambanathar (Respected True Knowledge Scholar), born in South India, went on an epic pilgrimage to all Shiva temples singing various hymns to Lord Shiva. When he reached Thiruvavadudurai, he perceived the fragrance of the divine Tamil hymns. When he asked others for its source, they started digging where the divine fragrance was intense and found the palm leaves of Thirumandiram hymns. He read the marvelous scriptures and understood with great joy the sheer genius and amazing beauty of Thirumandiram. He then decided to spread the Thirumandiram to the world and started singing its hymns to the world.
There are other accounts that say Thirumoolar Siddhar wrote a single verse each day for 3,000 days. Whatever actually happened, even a year’s meditation would be insufficient to comprehend the subtle and complete Jnana (Absolute Truth) contained in the four-line stanza of each verse in Thirumandiram.
Thirumoolar and the Thirumandiram
Thirumoolar is renowned for his magnum opus, the “Thirumandiram,” a text comprising 3,000 stanzas written over 3,000 years, composed one stanza per year while in deep samadhi. This profound work covers diverse aspects of life, including science, medicine, and spirituality, all with the central theme of Shaiva philosophy. It forms the 10th volume of the twelve volumes of the Thirumurai. His teachings, along with 300 mantras and 30 sermons, have left an indelible mark on Tamil Shaiva tradition.
Thirumoolar & Siddha Medicine
Thirumoolar perceived Siddha Medicine as not merely a science but also as an art. He was a kind of Siddha doctor and was one among eight Siddhas who had seen Nataraja (Lord Shiva) performing the Ananda Tandava or cosmic dance in Chidambaram, in the South of India.
The Festival and Rituals
The Aipasi Asuvathi festival, celebrated annually, is one of the most significant events at this temple. On every Ashuvathi Nakshatra, special Abhishekam services are performed for Thirumoolar, and a unique night puja is held in which Thirumoolar and his guru, Nandi Devar, are symbolically seen crawling over the main deity, Masilamaneesar. The temple also celebrates the Rathasapthami festival in the Tamil month of Thai.
Travel Tips for Thirumoolar Jeeva Samadhi at Gomuktheeswarar Temple in Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, in Mayiladuthurai
Address: Thirumoolar Jeeva Samadhi at Gomuktheeswarar Temple
Sri Gomuktheeswarar Temple, Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam,
Thiruvavaduthurai Post, Kuthalam Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 803.
Phone: +91 4364 232 021, 232 055
Entry Timings: Temple Timings:
– Morning: 7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
– Evening: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
How to reach Thirumoolar Jeeva Samadhi at Gomuktheeswarar Temple in Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, in Mayiladuthurai:
On Road: Direct buses from Chennai, Trichy, and Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai are available., From Mayiladuthurai, take a local bus or taxi (15 km to Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam).
Nearest Railway Station: Nearest Station: Mayiladuthurai Junction (15 km from the temple). Regular trains from Chennai, Trichy, and other cities.
Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport (120 km). From the airport, take a taxi or bus to Mayiladuthurai.
Similar Famous Lord Shiva Temples you may like to Visit:
Jurahareshwarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Best & Famous Shiva Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide
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Balakumar .M
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