Bhoominathar, Mannachanallur, Tiruchirappalli

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Bhoominathar	Ambal / Thayar:	Dharmasamvarthini, Jagadambikai
Deity:	Vaippu Sthalam	Historical name:
Vriksham:	Magizhamaram, Athi, Vanni, Kurunthai, Vilvam	Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):	500-1000
Timing:	6 to 12 & 4 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Vaippu Sthalam	–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Mannachanallur	District:	Tiruchirappalli
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruchirappalli (16 km)	Perambalur (52 km)
	Ariyalur (60 km)	Thanjavur (63 km)

Location

Mannachanallur is located about 15km from Trichy on the way to Tiruvellarai and Thuraiyur.

Sthala puranam and temple information

A Chola king of the region once had recurring trouble with his lands and the region. Upon consultation with elders and priests, it was determined that the place he was residing in, had Vaastu problems. In order to remedy this, he was told to pray to Lord Siva. The king built a temple here for Siva, and since Vaastu relates to the lay of the land, the Lord was named Bhoominathar. After the king’s worship, Siva is believed to have taken control of Vaastu Purusha (the deity responsible for Vaastu). In any case, Siva is regarded as the adipathi of the five elements – earth, air, fire, water and space/ether – and so it is only appropriate that He is worshipped as Bhoominathar.

It is regarded that property disputes or problems arise due to a variety of reasons such as Vaastu dosham, pitru dosham, and unfavourable planetary positions, in addition to conditions such as human tendency for greed, personal enmity, etc. Therefore, worshipping at this temple is said to cure Vaastu related problems of devotees, and is a favoured place of worship for those who have problems or disputes with lands, homes, title to property, etc.

It is believed that the town of Mann-Arakkanallur (the old name of this place) and this temple itself, are close to 2000 years old.

This is a later Chola temple, with limited architecture and sculpture work on the koshtas or other mandapam walls. The two large dwarapalakas to the garbhagriham are considered to be original to the temple, with most other aspects reckoned to be later additions. The original period murtis may have been destroyed or ransacked.

The Navagraham shrine here is also a bit unique. Suryan alone stands in the centre with his consort, Usha. All other Navagraham deities are without their consorts, and face Suryan.

The abhishekam here, as well as the procedure for relief from land disputes, are also quite interesting. For the abhishekam, five kalasams (pots) of water are used, and at the same time, devotees offer root vegetables and groundnuts as neivedyam (as these are grown underground, and hence fit for Bhoomi-nathar). For relief from land disputes and problems, it is required for the devotee, on an auspicious day, to take earth from the north-eastern corner of the plot of land in question, wrap it up in a yellow cloth, and bring it to the temple on a Wednesday. This earth is then placed near the Vilvam tree here and worshipped, and then taken back.