Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Temple Cars (Thiruther)
The temple car is one of the largest and biggest Thers (Temple Car) in Tamilnadu, comparable to the ones in Tiruvarur or Tirunelveli. It measures 89 feet from top (tip of the Kalasams) to bottom (ground level). The octagonal lower part of the Ther, measuring 14½ feet (length) and 14½ feet was carved beautifully. The axles (cuboids) on the outer surface of the wheels measure 29 feet (length), 1¾ feet (width) and 1¾ feet (height).
The rampant wooden horses which fastened in front of the Ther measure 25½ (length) and 8 feet (circumference of the body). The Kodimaram (flag post) on the Ther measures 24 feet (height). The inner large rope (Ul vadam) tied around the Ther measures 800 feet. The outer cable (large rope – Vadam) used to pull the Ther by 5000 people (man power) measures 1000 feet. The pedestal on the Ther measures 14½ x 14½.
The wooden sculptures such as Panchamurtis, Kayilayakkatchi, Narasimha Murthy, Bhairava, Chandra, the worship of Mahalingeswarar (seated beneath the Marudha tree) by Vinayaka and Ambika, His Holiness Gurumaha Sannidhanam and other sculptures are worth mentioning here. The Ther was donated to the temple by Amarsingh’s son Pratap Singh (Simha) in 1800 AD. He had presented a silver Ratha (chariot) also. There is a small wooden Ther for procession during the Tamil month Adi.
