Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple – A 1300-year Lord Shiva Temple in Pon Vilaintha Kalathur (PV Kalathur), Chengalpattu / Discovering Divine Temple featuring Unique Shiva Lingam with Tuft (Mun Kudumi) on the Head called the Lord Munkudumeeswarar – Visit, Temple Timings, History, Contact Number, Travel Guide (Updated)
– shiva temple representing the grand chola architecture
Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple / Arulmigu sri Munkudumeeswarar temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the Pon Vilaintha Kalathur village (பொன் விளைந்த களத்தூர்), situated 10 km away from Chengalpattu district. The temple rests amidst the green serene expanse of rice fields that surrounds this entire village. The temple is currently maintained by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). There are also three oldest Lord Rama Temples in this village.
The temple was constructed by the great king Rajendra Chozhan and primarily venerates the deities Lord Munkudumeeswarar and Goddess Meenakshi Amman. Goddess Meenakshi Amman is adorned with intricate decorations and has a separate shrine positioned southward from the sanctum.
Renowned poet Sri Pugazhendi Pulavar, who wrote the Nala Venba, is known to be hailed from this village, alongside the revered Sri Kootruva Nayanar. The temple’s architecture boasts intricate carvings adorning its pillars and walls, adorned with numerous inscriptions.
Adjacent to the temple’s compound wall, a magnificent Nandhi statue stands, flanked by majestic four pillars that face the sanctum.
At this temple, atop the Lord Munkudumeeswarar, we could see a tuft-like structure, from which the Lord Shiva derives his name as Lord Munkudumeeswarar (முன்குடுமீஸ்வரர்.) The presiding deity is seated under the Gajabrushta Vimana, graciously blessing devotees.
Within the temple hall, devotees can find shrines dedicated to Lord Anukkai Vinayaka, Lord Murugan, along with his consorts Goddess Valli and Goddess Deivanai, Lord Kalabhairava, and the Navagraha – the nine planets.
Temple’s Wall Inscriptions
On numerous pillars of the mandapam in front of the sanctuary, there are exquisite carvings. The temple’s walls are covered in numerous inscriptions as well.
Positioned in front of the main shrine are statues of Lord Surya Bhagawan and Lord Chandra Bhagawan. Bhairavar is situated near the Ambaal Shrine at the corner of the Prakaram. Additionally, a modest temple is dedicated to Kootruva Naayanaar, believed to have resided in the area and worshipped Lord Shiva.
History of Munkudumeeswarar Temple in Pon Vilaintha Kalathur
The history of Munkudumeeswarar Temple is steeped in devotion and miracles. Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled this part of the country long ago. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and every day before starting his day, he’d get a specially blessed garland and Prasadam from this temple. The temple’s priest would perform a special prayer to the Lord Shiva every morning and bring the garland and the Prasadam to the king at his palace.
One day, as usual, the priest finished his prayer and went to the palace to give the Prasadam to the king. But the king was still taking his bath, so the priest had to wait for him to finish. Meanwhile, the queen saw the priest who had brought the garland and Prasadam from the temple for the king. The queen liked the temple’s garland and, out of curiosity, she took and wore them. The priest was surprised and told her that those flowers were meant for the king. He took them back.
When the king finally came and accepted the garland and Prasadam, he noticed a long hair mixed up with the flowers from the temple. He got really angry and asked the priest how it got there and if the Lord Shiva in the temple had long hair. The priest got scared because he couldn’t tell the king that the queen had worn the garland. So, he told the king that Lord Shiva in the temple did have long hair, and that’s why there was a hair mixed up with the garland.
The king was shocked and said he’d go to the temple the next morning during the prayer. If he didn’t find the hair on the Lord Shiva, he’d cut off the priest’s head. The priest went back to the temple and prayed all day, asking the Lord Shiva to save him.
The next morning, when both the king and the priest went to the temple for the prayer. When the priest opened the door to start the prayer, he was amazed to see a small tuft of hair near the forehead of the Shiva Lingam. He cried tears of joy, realizing how merciful the Lord Shiva was. The king also apologized to the priest for suspecting him. And because of the tuft of hair on Lord Shiva’s forehead, he became known as Sri Munkudumeeswarar. Even today, you can see the tuft on the Lord’s head.
Signficane of the Pon Vilaintha Kalathur Village
The village’s name, Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, is attributed to its history of yielding gold from cultivation. Presently, the name of the village is shortened to PV Kalathur.
Another version narrates how Vedanta Desikar witnessed a divine intervention when a white horse ravaged the fields, turning them into gold overnight.
One of the devotees who served Lord Shiva here worked for an Anthanar. Anthanar gave him a portion of his land as a salary. The servant maintained his land and that of the servant. Antanar learned that the land he had once given to a servant would yield gold if he sowed rice at a certain time. For this he made a trick, he asked the servant to take all the paddy that grew in his field and the less paddy that grew in his field was enough for him. The servant agreed with his master. When golden rays grew in the servant’s field, Anthanar took it. The clueless employee didn’t notice it either. Seeing this, the people asked Antanar to give the servant a share but he refused.
The matter went to the king. He took the rice grains grown there for the government account. Anthanar, who wanted to deceive the servant, also lost the rice that he was entitled to. By the grace of Lord Shiva, the servant got more paddy. The town got the name “Ponvlaintha Kalathur” because of the golden paddy. Hence this village got the name Pon Vilaintha Kalathur wherein pon refers to gold and Vilaintha means yield from cultivation in Tamil.
Great poet Sri Pugazhendi Pulavar, who wrote Nala Venba, was born here. One of the 63 Nayanmars called Sri Kootruva Nayanar is also said to have lived in this village.
Travel Tips for Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple in Pon Vilaintha Kalathur (PV Kalathur), Chengalpattu
Moolavar: Munkudumiswarar
Utsavar: Chandrasekhar
Amman: Meenakshi
Thala Vrutsham: Vilvam
Theertham / Holy Water: Vilva Theertha
Agama/Puja: Shivagam
City: Ponvilintha Kalathur
Address of Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple:
Sri Munkudumeeswarar Temple, P.V. Kalathur – 603 405.
Phone: +91-97890 49704 / +91-99624 67355
Temple Timings of Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple: 6.00 AM to 7:00 AM – 5.00 PM to 6.30 PM
How to reach Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple in Pon Vilaintha Kalathur (PV Kalathur), Chengalpattu
On Road: Pon Vilaintha Kalathur is a small village situated about 60 km from Chennai and 8 kms from Chengalpattu. There are local buses are available between Chengalpet and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. We can reach the temple by our vehicle.
By Train: Nearest Railway Station is Ottivakkam Railway Station ( we can take
passenger train between Chennai Egmore/Tambaram and Villupuram and get down at Ottivakkam and walk to this temple from the station).
On Flight: Nearest Airport is Chennai Airport.
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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