The acrimony between those who follow Shaivism and Sri Vaishnavas, I thought, is a thing of the past.

I saw a comment recently in a Facebook group of which I am a member that triggered a heated debate between Shaivites and Vaishnavas.

It all started with a comment by a member that those who worship Lord Shiva, must boycott the Discourses by Sri Velukkudi Krishnan,a Vaishnavite,who delivers lectures and is quite popular.

The comment observed that Sri. Krishnan ridicules Lord Shiva and insults Him, when He is extolling the virtues of Shiva.

( I discussed with Sri.Krishnan on his twisting Bhagavad Gita to suit Vaishnavism.

His reply ”Swamin,Pressures’!

I was attending a series of lectures by Sri.Krishnan on Bhagavata Gita in Malleswaram Bangalore,some three years back with my childhood friend who is a staunch Vaishnava)

This is not something new.

About three or four years back one of my friends,Sri.Srinivasan,( he is no more),from Bombay wrote to me that one of the Acharyas of Sri Vaishnavam, in his discourse had stated that visiting Shiva temple by a Vaishnava would attract Brahmahathi Dosha,that is a sin equivalent to killing a Brahmin ,and one needs to perform Prayaschitta,including Homa.

He wanted my opinion on this.

I wrote an article on this stating that there is no sanction for this in the Vedas,they do not speak of Shaivism or Vaishnavism.

I followed up this article with Shiva Stuthi by Krishna and His caution to His followers and Vishnu stuthi by Shiva.

And there is Mantrarajapadam, which wards off Evil,on Lord Narasimha by Rudra.

It is foolish and ridiculous to differentiate between Shiva and Vishnu.

There are many temples where Shiva and Vishnu exist togethet,though in different sanctums.

Eg. Govindaraja in Chidambaram Nataraja temple.

And there is Sankaranarayana Temple ,Sakaran koil,near Tirunelveli,Tamil Nadu,where Shiva and Vishnu are found in one Image in the sanctum.

There is a temple in Suchindiram,near Kanyakumari,Tamil Nadu,where Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva are in one idol.

There is a little known temple in Tamil Nadu where one can find Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva in one Shiva linga in the sanctum.

This is called Moonreswarar temple,Moonreswarar meaning Three Gods.

‘

• God – Moondreeshwarar
• Goddess – Maragadambika
• Dakshinamurti in a rare and different posture
• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the form of a Shiva Linga
• Tombs (Samadhis) of Siddhars inside the temple

Legend:

As per the advice from Lord Shiva during his marriage, the sage Agastya travelled to South India. He first landed in Podhigai hills. Later, he visited this site. Many saints followed him. Some of the Siddhars liked the place and stayed here. Hence, this temple is also considered asSiddhar Peetham.
This ancient temple of Lord Shiva is located at the outskirts of Athalanallur village on the way to Tirupudaimarudur. Unfortunately, this extraordinary temple, which is supposed to be the highlight of the village, remains unknown. It is not easy to locate this temple. Even the local people are unaware of this temple. It is located at a distance of around 400 meters from the famous Aadi Moolam Gajendra Varadan temple.
The temple, which badly needs maintenance, is east facing. It does not have tower. Instead, there is a beautiful Nalkal (four pillared) mandapa in front of the temple.
The prakara has the idols of Dakshinamurti, Chandikeshwarar, Surya, Chandra, Bhairava, Bhadra, Sura Deva, Sapta Matas, Durga and Adhikara Nandi. There are two sub shrines dedicated to Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena.
Dakshinamurti is in a rare and different posture. He is found in the sitting posture with his right leg hanging down and his left leg folded on top of his right leg; his left foot is facing upwards which is a rare posture.
The temple also houses two samadhis of Siddhars; Shiva Linga idols are installed on those samadhis. Three sub shrines of Shiva Lingas are also found in this temple; it is also believed that due to these three sub-shrines of Shiva Lingas which are located together, the main deity is named as Moondreeshwarar.

How to reach.

Nearest Railway Station: Veeravanallur

Nearest Airport: Tirunelveli

How to reach: Well connected by road from Ambasamudram and Veeravanallur; public transportation is not dependable

Hotel: Few options in Ambasamduram and no option in this village; more options in the nearby city Tirunelveli

Restaurants: Only few options in the nearby Ambasamudram town.

Source.

http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2014/07/Moondreeshwarar.html?m=1