The Mukteswara also called Dharmamahadevi Iswaram,
after the name of Nandivarman - II queen, as revealed by the
inscription found in the temple and the Matangeswara also
constructed during the reign of Nandivarman though found in
two different places in Kanchi are alike in many respects. Both
are square, three tier Vesara type vimana with circular griva
and sikhara. These are the earliest extant temples to possess
a circular griva and sikhara though the models of these forms
are represented in the Bhima ratha, at Mamallapuram. Both
the temples are standing with their front mandapa on a raised
adhistana, which is again placed on upapita and the pattika
over the adhistans, the whole temple is built of sandstone.
First and second tiers, of both the temples have haramala
consisting of karnakutas and salas. The third tier is devoid of
haramala, but carries four nandis at the scorners.
Sculpture on the walls of both temples is mostly sun
relief. SriK.R. Srinivasan is of the opinion that these may have
been carved several years after the original construction.
In the Muktheeswar temple the deeds of the Divine are
wonderful, and captivating. Sometimes God subjects His
devotees to severe test with the intention of bringing their
noble traits to light, to make the world recognize their
greatness and the superiority of their devotion. The places
where such divine acts of the Lord are exhibited considered
sacred and temples are constructed there for the Lord in
commemoration of that divine happening. Such divine sports
are performed both by Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. Such sports
by Lord Vishnu are described as Leelas and those of Lord Siva
as Thiruvilaiyadalgal.
If Alwars have sung in praise of such Vaishnavite temples
they are called Divyadesams. If the four Saiva Saints known
as Naalvar have sung in praise of the Sivakshethras they are
called padalpetra sthalangal the sacred places which were
hailed by one or all of the four saints – Appar,
Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. The
noble devotees graced by Lord Siva are known as Nayanmars.
One such sacred place is Sri Muktheeswarar temple in
Kanchipuram and one such great devotee is Sri
Thirukuripputhonda Nayanar.
Once there lived a washer man in Kanchipuram who was
a devout saivite with remarkable traits and virtue. There was
no trace of egoism whatsoever in him. He used to render
selfless service to all devotees of Lord Siva by guessing thei
bent of mind correctly with intuition and fulfilling their
immediate needs. Hence he became popularly known as
“Thirukuripputhondar”. His usual service was to wash the
clothes of the devotees of Lord Siva who came on pilgrimage
to Kanchipuram. He used to do this service voluntarily without
expecting any return benefit.
Once in winter season, Thirukuripputhondar met an aged
devotee of Siva whose lustrous body was completely
besmeared by sacred ash. But he was wearing dirty tattered
clothes. Thirukuripputhondar was deeply moved by this sight.
He prostrated before the old man and requested him to grant
him the privilege of washing his robes for him. The aged
devotee of Siva had no spare dress to rely on and so hesitantly
agreed to entrust the job to Thirukuripputhondar provided he
would undertake to handover the washed clothes back to him
before sunset so he would not be made to expose himself to
the biting cold of the winter night. Agreeing to this,
Thirukuripputhondar collected the tattered dirty clothes of the
aged devotee and went to the tank to wash them. He took
great care to prevent them well and kept them spread for
drying in the bright sunshine.
A few moments later, the sky was overcast and there was
a heavy downpour of rain. The unexpected non seasonal rain
dampened the wet clothes and disheartened
Thirukuripputhondar. He simply stood gazing at the sky. As it
was drawing towards sunset, Thirukuripputhondar body
trembled in the cold while his mind trembled in fear at the
thought of committing the sin of breaking promise to the aged
devotee.
The very thought of the old man shivering in bitter cold,
approaching the thondar for the washed clothes and his
inability to handover the same made Thirukuripputhondar
tremble in dismay. Like all noble souls who prefer to shed
their lives rather than dishonor the plighted word,
Thirukuripputhondar decided to commit suicide by striking his
head against the granite stone used for washing the clothes.
At that moment, Lord Siva appeared before him to make a
timely intervention and reveal that the aged devotee was none
other than Himself. Lord Siva praised the noble qualities of
Thirukuripputhondar and asked him to continue, his noble
service assuring him of mukthi or liberation at the end. Lord
Siva consecrated in the temple on the spot where this
Thiruvilaiyadal occurred came to be called ‘Muktheeswarar’
and Thirukuripputhondar came to be known as Thirukurippu
Tondanayanar.
Pilgrims to Kanchi visit the temple of Sri Muktheeswarar
and carry with then the thoughts of the noble service of
Thirukuripputhondanayanar and the abundance of Grace of
Lord Muktheeswarar registering the saying in their mind that
service to Humanity is the real Service to God.
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