Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – The Temple
The east-facing temple has four Rajagopurams facing each of the four directions and three inner gopurams. The main Rajagopuram is five tiered. It is about is 204 m (668 feet) high. The western gopuram is seven tiered. The Temple has three precincts, each enclosed inside huge walls. The most notable is the second precinct built during the Vijayanagar period that has many sculptures.
The temple is rectangular in plan with East-West orientation and has four entrances in each of the four directions. The Temple covers an area of about 20 acres. The temple tank alone measures 190 m (624 feet) in length. The temple complex is one of the largest in the state. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mahalingeswarar, Bruhatsundara Gujamabika and Mookambigai being the most prominent.
Prakarams:
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Sanctum Sanctorum:
Presiding Deity is called as Mahalingeswarar / Maruthavaneswarar / Maruthavaanar and is facing east. The presiding Deity is called as Mahalinga (Great Linga) because Lord Shiva worshipped himself. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Shiva Lingam here is a Swayambhu (self-manifested). The lingam is indeed majestic on a six-ft pedestal. There are two Nandhis in front of presiding deity out of which one is made of copper.
Balipeedam, Dwajastambam and Stucco Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. Stucco Nandi in front of flagstaff is bigger in size comparable to the Nandhi of Thanjavur Big Temple and Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple. The pooja is first performed to Mahalinga Swamy in this temple and then only to Vinayakar. Here Vinayagar himself is worshipping Shiva.
Mother Shrine:
Mother is called as Perunalamamulaiammai / Bruhatsundara Gujamabika / Nanmulainayaki. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. It is considered as one of the Sakthi Peethas. Her shrine is situated on the right side of the sanctum (on the southern side). Mother shrine to the right side of Lord represents Kalyana Kolam. Mookambika Shrine is situated within the Ambal Shrine complex.
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Kalyana Kolam painting can be found in the top of Artha Mandapam. Paintings of various Ambals can be found on the walls of the prakaram of Mother shrine. An idol of Thirugnana Sambandar can be found in the prakaram of Mother Shrine. There is a shrine for Anbirpriyal in the outer prakaram of Mother Shrine. There is a rule practised in this temple that after worshipping Mother, one has to go outside and must not cross Sanctum.
Mookambikai Shrine:
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Lingams:
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Pavai Vilakku:
Thanjavur Marathas ruled the region during the 18th century. Pratap Singh (1736–63) was a patron of the temple after his prayer to Mahalingaswamy to marry love was fulfilled. Ammuni Ammal (lover of Pratap Singh), donated a Pavai Vilakku (a lamp in the shape of Ammuni Ammal) and lit one lakh (1,00,000) lamps. The lamp measures 120 cm (height), 411 ¾ Cher (Weight) in brass, designed and made by Kannara Aryaputra Pathar. Her story is inscribed at the base of the lamp. The base of the lamp has an inscription indicating the gift of Marathas to the temple.
Brahmmahathi:
Bas relief sculpture of Brahmmahathi (sin caused by a murder of Brahmin) is found in the south wall (South Torana Vayil) with head disheveled and face immersed betwixt the knees. It is interesting to note that those who enter through this entrance will leave only through the Amman shrine. The idea is to avoid Brahmmahathi who will not enter the shrine but wait outside to catch its victims.
Anda Vinayagar Shrine:
There is a shrine dedicated to Vinayagar called Anda Vinayagar in the southern side of the temple premises. As per Hindu legend, the Vinayagar ruled the world and hence obtained this name.
Krishna Shrine:
There is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna (as a Crawling child) as revealed to Sage Kashyapa along with Lord Siva can be found in the temple premises.
Padithurai Vinayakar Shrine:
Padithurai Vinayakar Shrine is situated at the entrance of the temple. It is believed that once the Cauvery was running this way and hence the name.
Other Shrines:
Shrines of Murugan, Nataraja, Agora Veerabhadra, Sattainathar, Vel (Weapon of Lord Murugan), Iravadeswarar Nayadiyar, Athama Lingeswarar and Gnanambigai can be found in the temple premises. Idols of Pattinathar and Badragiriyaar can be found in the eastern and western gateways of the temple respectively.
Saiva Siddhantha Library:
A Saiva Siddhantha library is situated inside the temple premises. it maintains palm leaf manuscripts and Saiva literature.
Theerthams:
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Temple Cars (Thiruther):
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