Friday, November 10, 2017

Marundeeswarar Temple (Idaiyattrunathar Temple), T. Edayar – The Temple

Marundeeswarar Temple (Idaiyattrunathar Temple), T. Edayar – The Temple
This is a west facing temple and has a three-tiered gopuram, the gateway tower and all the shrines of the temple are enclosed in concentric rectangular granite walls. The central shrine is approached through the gateway tower, a mukha mandapa and an Ardha mandapa, all of which are axial to the sanctum. There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) in this temple. The central shrine houses the image of Marundeeswarar in the form of Lingam. The central shrine is approached through a Mahamandapam and Arthamandapam.




Presiding Deity is called as Idaiyatreeswarar / Idaiyattru Nathar / Marundeeesar / Sivanandeswarar / Krupapureeswarar / Adimathyarjuna Eswarar. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested). It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam on the 15th and 16th of the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar) from 5.00 p.m. to 5.15 p.m.




In this temple, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are depicted in their wedding posture. In this temple, Lord Shiva is facing west and Goddess Parvathi is facing east, as if they are exchanging garlands i.e. Kalyana Kolam in contrast to the Upadesa posture as in other temples with a similar orientation. Hence this temple is famous with devotees seeking wedding boon. Devotees facing prolonged delays in their marriage proposals worship the lord here and take the garlands exchanged between the God and Goddess to their homes. It is believed that doing this will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals. 




Mother is called as Sitridainayaki / Gnanambika. The shrine of Gnanambigai is on the South-Western corner of the temple facing East. The shrine of Irulneeki Thayar (also called Anthaga Nivarini), facing West is located in a shrine behind sanctum. As in other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, the shrines of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikeswara and Durga are located around the precinct of the main shrine. Traditionally, Lord Murugan (as Somaskanda) is seen between the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. However, in this temple Lord Vinayakar (Bala Ganapathy or “Infant Ganapathy”) occupies Lord Muruga’s place.




As per the stone inscriptions available here, Lord Vinayakar of this temple is also named as “Marutha Ganapathy” and “Polla Pillayar”. Interestingly, Lord Murugan is referred to as “Kaliyugarama Pillayar”. There is another shrine for Lord Vinayakar here which can be seen amid a farm at about one kilometer from this temple. It is believed that this is the Vinayakar that blessed saint Marai Gnanasambandhar. This Vinayakar is also praised as Maruthai Pillayar and Gnanasambandha Pillayar.




Sage Agasthya came to this place during his pilgrimage, made a Linga and worshipped the Lord.  This Linga is worshipped as Agasthya Linga. The shrine of Agastheeshwarar is located in the second precinct in the South-eastern direction. There is also a small shrine for Sukha Brahma Rishi in the outer corridor. As Sukhabrahmma Maharshi worshipped in this place, there is a huge number of parrots in this place. 



 
Shrines and idols of lords Balamrutha Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Saptamadakkal, Navagraham and Saint Marai Gnana Sambandhar can be seen in the corridors. Theerthams associated with this temple are Virudhapinakini (Pennai river) and Sitridai Theertham (well). Sthala Vriksham is Marutham tree. There are several inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar periods here.