Description:
This Dhivya Desam is located at a distance of about 10
km from Madurai.
References to Thirumogur are seen in the sangam period Tamil works such as Akanaanooru, Paditrupattu, Maduraikkanchi and Silappadikaram.
Deities:
The Moolavar here is Kaalamega Perumaal in a standing posture facing East, bearing a mace. The festival image of Thirumogur
Aaptan bears five weapons. Thaayaar in a separate sanctum bears the names Mohanavalli, Megavalli, Mogurvalli. There is another
shrine here to Perumaal in a reclining posture (Palli Konda Perumaal). The iconography
of Sudarshana is interesting here; viewed as ChakkarattaAzhwar from the front and Narasimha from the rear, with 154 aksharas
carved within 6 circles, bearing 16 arms in 16 hands, with three eyes and flanked by 48 devatas.
Legend has
it that Perumaal distributed the celestial nectar Amritam to the Devas, in the guise of the enchantress Mohini, and hence
the name Mohanakshetram or Mohanapuram. Legend has it that Pulastya muni had a vision of Perumaal here at this shrine.
This temple with 4 prakarams covers an area of 2.5 acres. The Kambattadi Mandapam has beautifully
carved pillars. A five tiered rajagopuram marks the entrance to the temple. Also in the Garuda Mandapam, are interesting carvings
of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Manmathan and Rathi. The vimanam here is of great beauty. The temple tanks here are referred
to as Periya Thirupparkadal and Siriya Thirupparkadal (legend has it that a drop of the celestial nectar amritam fell into
the temple tank). This temple was renovated earlier in the 20th century. The stala vriksham is the vilva tree. There are shrines
to Krishna, Aandaal, the Azhwars and Hanuman. There are stone inscriptions from the period
of the pandavas, the Vijayanagara kings and local chieftains.
Festivals: Six worship servies are carried out each day in the Pancharatra
Agama protocol. The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi, when the Mohini Avataram is enacted. Gajendra
Moksham is celebrated in the nearby Narasimha temple. Panguni Uthiram, Aadi Pooram, Krishna Jayanti, Navaratri and Vaikuntha
Ekadasi are also celebrated here.