SAGE MANTHRSWARA

In 13th Century in a small village ( Agraharam) called Salagiri in Thirunelveli Sage Manthreswara created the astrological treatise called PHALA DEEPIKA . His original name was MAARKHANDEYA BHATTAR (மார்கண்டேய பட்டர், മാര്‍ഖണ്ടേയ ഭട്ടര്‍), a Namboothiri Brahmin.They are also called in Kerala as Bhattathiri
This sage was an ardent devotee of GODDESS PARVATHI “ The original deities of Tirunelveli village temple were Kulasekhara Perumal (Lord Siva) and Sugandha Kundalamba (Goddess Sri Parvati). one reference to this place and temple is given below –
“Tirunelveli is the home of the first largest Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu, Nellaiappar Temple. The city is considered to be one of the oldest in the Indian subcontinent, with a history that dates back to 1000 BC. This city is located on the west bank of the perennial river, Thamirabarani,”

I feel this temple must have been referred as as KULASEKHARA PERUMAL TEMPLE. Since generally PERUMAL name is associated with LORD VISHNU TEMPLES this must have been changed as NELLAIAPPAR TEMPLE. It is seen that GODDESS PARVATHI is also a presiding deity as Lord SHIVA. There are many VAISHNAVATE TEMPLES like in and around THIRUNELVELI like Lord Maha Vishnu Temples at Vikrama Singa Puram.Sundara Pandya Puram , Kadayanellur, Thenkasi etc which are called PERUMALTEMPLES.

Another theory is that “The temple dates back to 700 AD and has been sung by the Saivite saint Tirugnana sambandar.( திருஞான ஸம்பந்தர்) Supposedly there were two distinct temples for Shiva and his consort both built by the Pandyan kings and the Sangili Mandapam linking these two were built in the 17th centuriesThe temple dates back to 700 AD and has been sung by the Saivite saint Tirugnana sambandar.”

There are many VAISHNAVATE TEMPLES in Vikrama Singa Puram.Sundara Pandya Puram , Kadayanellur, thenkasi etc which are called PERUMALTEMPLES.

Whatever it may be SUGANTH KUNDALAAMBAAL referred here-in below is the deity Goddess Parvathi.

“ ll श्री शालिवाडी जातेन मया मन्त्रेश्वरेण वै
दैवज्ञेन द्विजाग्रेण सतांजोर्तिर्विदां मुदे ll
सुकुन्तलांबा संपूज्या सर्वाभीष्टप्रदायिनीं
तत्कटाक्षविशेषेण कृता या फलदीपिका ll “
This Temple of Goddess Sugandambal is in THIRUNELVELI VILLAGE (NOW TOWN). SAGE Manthreswara in the concluding verse has said that he is born in SRI SALI VAADI (श्री शालीवाडी जातेन) which means in Tamil ( श्री = திரு; शाली = நெல்; वाडी = in Paali Sanskrit is Fence means in Tamil வேலி) Hence it is in TAMIL திரு நெல் வேலி. Whicj became THIRUNELVELI (திருநெல்வேலி).
According to legends Maarkhandeya Bhaattar after taking sanyasa and taking the name MANTHRESWARA went up to Himalayas and learnt Hindu Philosophy i.e Vedas and Vedangas etc. and other sciences like Astrology. By sheer dint and hard work he wrote the Book called PHALADEEPIKA which is a compendium of the works like BRUHAT PARASARA HORA SHASTRA, HORA SHASTHRA OF VARAHAMIHIRA, VASISHTAand other such MAHARSHIS.

MY PRANAMS TO THIS GREAT SAGE.

P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN