Munnur is a Village located between Tindivanam and Marakkanam in Viluppuram District. This Temple is located very close to Sri Arulala Perumal Temple in Munnur. The full name of the Temple is Sri Brihannayaki Samedha Sri Adavalleeswarar Temple. The Temple is said to be more than 1300 years old. This Temple was first built by King Kulothunga Cholan I and late King Kulothunga Chola II had developed it to some extent. In earlier times Munnur was known as Munnutrumangalam, Minnam or Moonjur. This place is now known as Munnur since there were around 300 Temples around this place in the earlier times. This is a South facing Temple with Sri Adavalleswarar as the Presiding Deity. His Consort is known as Sri Brahannayaki or Sri Periya Nayaki whose Shrine was earlier in the outer peripheral as a separate Shrine, This Shrine of Brihannayaki Ambal was ravaged during repeated Moghul invasions. 

This Temple has a huge seven tiered South facing Rajagopuram. The other Rajagopurams in the East and West are of five tiers. There is a small entrance facing North. There is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Nandhi Vaahanam facing North and looking towards the Moolasthanam. To the right of the Dwajasthambam is a Neerazhi Mandapam and a Pushkarani. There are two multi pillared Mandapams and in one of them is a small Idol of Sri Vinayagar which is South facing. In the South facing Sanctum Sanctorum Sri Adavalleshwarar who is an incarnation of Shiva is seen as a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam mounted on a Padma Peedam. There are two South facing Dwara Baalaka Idols who stand guard. On either side of these Dwara Baalaka Idols is a South facing Idol of Vinayagar and Murugan. On one of the wall close to the Dwara Baalaka is a fascinating Idol which is embosed and in this, a Divine Cow appears to pour its own milk through its udder on the Shiva Lingam of Sri Adavalleswarar. Beyond this another pair of Dwara Baalakas are seen and close to this is a Sub Shrine in which the Urchavamoorthy Idols are kept along with that of Sri Natarajar and Sivagami Ambal. The Koshtam of the Moolavar Sannadhi has the following Idols of Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahmma, Durgai and Chandikeshwarar. It is very strange since the Dhakshinamoorthy in all other Shiva Temples is only South facing but the Dhakshinamoorthy who is found in the Koshtam of this Temple is West facing. 

Now the Ambal's Shrine has been built close to the Moolasthanam but strangely West facing. The Ambal is seen in Her Shrine in a standing posture and without Her usual Dwara Baalakis. The peripheral of the Temple has an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Selva Vinayagar. Next to this is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Swamy Ayyappan who is seen in a sitting posture. Apart from these two Sub Shrines is another East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar who is flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. The peripheral of the Temple has 63 Naayanmaars, Sapthamathas, Anjaneya Swamy, Suryan, Chandran and Jeshtadevi. It is rather unusual to see a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kaala Bhairavar. Likewise the Sub Shrine of Sri Kamakshi Amman is also South facing and She is seen in a standing posture. The Temple has a Navagraha Sannadhi. The Temple also has a Temple Kitchen or Madapalli. 

The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is a Vanni Maram and beneath it are the Idols of Naga Devatha and Pillayar who are East facing. Many of the Sub Shrines and Idols of this Temple are in ruins and was said to be damaged by Moghul Rulers. This Temple was totally reconstructed by Sri Vijayaraghavalu Reddy of Mambalam in Chennai. He did this with the Blessings of Kanchi Sri Maha Periyava. This Temple gains importance since it is said that Parvathi had come to Munnur on the advice of Maha Vishnu and She created a Shiva Lingam. It is said that Kanchi Maha Periyava, Sri Kirupananada Variar and Sri Pambam Swamigal had visited this Temple during their lifetime. Festivals like Gurupeyarchi, Aippasi Annabishekam, Mahashivarathri and Arudhra Dharisanam, Pradhosham are celebrated in a grand manner. Special Poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Full Moon Days. Vel Pooja festival is performed in the Tamil month of Chithirai. This Temple is a Guru Parihaara Sthalam.

Contact Details: Saravanan Gurukkal 95663 78974, Kalidass 77082 28621, 98845 54053, 80988 99927 and 94441 03813

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 11 Noon and 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Tindivanam to Munnur is 22 Kms

Distance from Marakkanam to Munnur is 22 Kms

Distance from Kiliyanur to Munnur is 19 Kms

Distance from Peramandur to Munnur is 30 Kms

Distance from Pondicherry or Puducherry to Munnur is 40 Kms

Distance from Morattandi to Munnur is 35 Kms

Distance from Pappanchavady or Panchavatee to Munnur is 46 Kms

Distance from Cuddalore to Munnur is 63 Kms

Distance from Chidambaram to Munnur is 108 Kms

Distance from Panruti to Munnur is 77 Kms

Distance from Neyveli to Munnur is 110 Kms

Distance from Thirukovilur to Munnur is 95 Kms

Distance from Polur to Munnur is 106 Kms

Distance from Cheyyur to Munnur is 39 Kms

Distance from Cheyyar to Munnur is 84 Kms

Distance from Maduranthakam to Munnur is 44 Kms

Distance from Kanchipuram to Munnur is 93 Kms

Distance from Thiruparkadal or Kaveripakkam to Munnur is 131 Kms

Distance from Vikravandi to Munnur is 46 Kms

Distance from Vadalur to Munnur is 98 Kms

Distance from Kattuparur to Munnur is 106 Kms

Distance from Virudhachalam to Munnur is 119 Kms

Distance from Srimushnam to Munnur is 139 Kms

Distance from Kalpakkam to Munnur is 67 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Munnur is 139 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Tindivanam R.S.

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari 98411 40126