Thirumohur Kalamegaperumal Temple is a Hindu temple near Melur, Madurai district in Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, it is one of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Vishnu. The temple is also known as Mohanapuram and Mohanakshetram. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandyas, with later additions from the Madurai Nayaks.
According to legend, during the fight between the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) while churning the Milky Ocean for obtaining nectar (Amrutham), when Asuras were about to overpower Devas they sought Vishnu’s help. Vishnu appeared as Mohini to lure the Asuras and helped the Devas obtain the nectar. This place where Mohini lured Asuras is known as Thirumohur. The temple was built during the reign of Sadaiya Varman Sundhara Pandiyan in CE 1259. The current structure is believed to have been built by the Madurai Nayaks and later there were additions made by the Marudu brothers, whose images are also housed in the temple.
The main deities in this temple are Kalamegaperumal and Mohanavalli Thayar. The Utsavar is Thirumogur Aabthan. There is one more sannadhi with the Lord giving darshan in Prathana Sayana thirukolam on Aadisheshan with Sridevi and Bhoomidevi praying at the Lord’s feet. There is also a shrine for Chakrathazhvar. The front of the Sudarshana Chakra is Chakrathazhvar and the back side is Narasingha Perumal. The image of Chakrathazwhar in the temple is depicted with sixteen hands each holding different weapons and three eyes glowing like fire. Inside the six circles within the shrine, there are 16 weapons of the Lord with 154 letters. The letters are believed to be text from Bijakshara Mantra (A bija mantra, also known as a seed mantra, is a one-syllable sound used in meditation or yoga practice).
The temple is glorified in the verses of Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Tirumangai Azhwar and Nammazhwar. Manavala Mamunigal, Kalamegha Pulavar, Tiruninravur Tirumalai and Pillai Perumal Iyengar have also composed verses on the deity. Brahmanda Purana and Matsya Purana also make a mention about this place.
| Dhivyadesam No. | 103 |
| Dhivyadesam Name | Thirumohur |
| Main Deity | Kalamegha Perumal, Mohanavalli |
| Location | Madurai, Tamil Nadu (Pandiya Nadu) |
| Architecture Style | Dravidian (Pandiya Style) |
| Temple Age | 1000 years |
| Azwars who did Mangalasasanam | Nammazhwar, Thirumangaiyazhwar |
| Divyaprabandam reference |
Siriya Thirumadal (2673) Thiruvaimozhi (3667 – 3677) |
| Unique Specialties |
Place where Nammazhwar was granted Moksha Chakrathazhwar shrine with Bijakshara mantra |
| Prayers made for |
Development of Business Marriage alliances |
| Popular Events |
Brahmotsavam – Vaikasai, Vaikunda Ekadesi, Gajendra Moksham (Masi – Feb / Mar) |
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Rangarajan has been blogging for over 12 years now on various topics. With Thedal, he becomes one with the universe and he is hoping that his search will help him discover the eternal truth. Please join him as he traverses through the universe across temples, philosophies and science!