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Saturday, January 9, 2016

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Etymology

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Etymology
Marudur is derived from the name of the holy tree, namely Marudha. The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is Marudha. This temple is classified as Madhya Arjunam, called Idai Maruthu meaning centre Marudur.
The Mallikarjuna swamy temples are Srisailam is called Thalai Maruthu (meaning top Marudur) and Tirupudaimaruthur temple at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district is called Kadai Maruthu (meaning lower Marudur). 

Since Shiva raised out as a flame to the sages, the presiding deity is also referred as Jyothirmaya Mahalingam. It should be noted that historically Shiva was worshipped as Jyothi, the sacred flame and with the course of time, Jyothrilinga temples were developed. Since the place is full of Marudha tree, Shiva is also referred as Marudavanan. The Sanskrit meaning of the word Marudha is Archunam, deriving the Tamil name of Idaimaruthur against Mathiarchunam.