Mahalingeswarar Temple,
Thiruvidaimarudur – Greatness of Temple
Mookambigai: The Thiruvidaimarudur Mookambigai of
this place is as famous and great like the Karnataka Kollur
Mookambigai. In India, only in Kollur and Thiruvidaimarudur, Mookambigai
shrines are seen; it is not found anywhere else. Only here a separate
sanctum could be seen. In this temple, the Mookambigai sanctum is on
the southern side of Ambal’s sanctum. The inner sanctum of this
temple is constructed like the North Indian temple structure. In
this sanctum, the most powerful Maha Meru Srichakra is installed.
Moola
Linga Sthalam: According
to the rules of temple structure, Lord Mahalinga Swamy remains as the central
Prime Deity in this temple, amidst the temples and surrounded by
deities. They are: Tiruvalanchuzhi-Vinayakar, Swamimalai-Murugan,
Sejnalur-Chandeswarar, Sooriyanarkoil-Sooriyan and other nine planets,
Chidambaram-Natarajar, Sirkaali-Bhairavar, and
Thiruvavaduthurai-Tirunandhi. This is a very significant feature.
Aswamedha
Pradakshanam: Reaching
the temple and circling the inner way of the first wall, to worship the Lord
Marudapperumaan is known as ‘Aswamedha Pradakshanam’. Those who do this will
receive all benefits. Before beginning this sacred exercise, one
should worship Lord Muruga. One has to limit his prayer duration as one, half
and quarter mandalams. The going around also must be stipulated as
one hundred and eight, twenty-four, twelve and seven circles. It is
believed that the devotees who circle around on the Thiru karthigai Deepam day
and during the Thai month festival will receive immense
benefits. Next to this is the ‘Kodumudi prakaram’. To go
around this prakaram is equal to going round the Mount Kailas and
receive benediction.
Pattinathar
and Badragiriyaar: The
life-history of Pattinathar and this Thiruvidaimarudur temple has close
connection. Pattinathar has sung many songs on the Lord
Maruthavaanar of this temple. His disciple is Badragiriyaar, who was
a King once upon a time, renounced everything and became the disciple of Pattinathar. Both
the guru and the disciple went on pilgrimage to all the Siva temples, came and
stayed at Thiruvidaimarudur. Pattinathar never kept even a begging
bowl. On the other hand, the disciple had a begging bowl and also a
dog. Once the Lord disguised as a Siva-devotee came and asked alms to Pattinathar
who told him: “ I am a beggar. I do not have anything to give. There’s
a family man near the west tower of this temple.” The Lord went to
that place and begged Badragiriyaar, who realized and felt sad that the begging
bowl and the dog had made him a family man. Thinking so, he threw
the bowl on the dog. The begging bowl broke and the dog also
died. The Lord then appeared before him and granted Moksha to
Badragiriyaar and also to the dog. That place could be seen even
today. It is called the ‘Naayatiyaar Koil’ in the East Maada
Street. One can see this site in this sacred place.
The Sacred
Place where Lord Mahalinga worshipped Himself: This holy place is situated between
Mallikaarjunam Sri Sailam in the North and Tirupudaimaruthur (Putaarjunam) of
the Tirunelveli District in the South, and is called ‘Idaimaruthur’
(Madhyarjunam). The Sanskrit word, ‘Arjunam’ means ‘Marudha
tree’. The sacred tree in all these three places is the Marudha
tree. Lords Saturn and Moon have worshipped here. To the
sage Kashyapa, the Lord of Idaimaruthur, Lord Marudavaanar has appeared as
child Krishna. There are about 32 Theerthams (holy water) like
Kaarunayaamirtha Theertham and Kavirippoosa Theertham. For the 27
stars, there are 27 lingams.
On the four sides are temples for Viswanaathar,
Aathmanaathar, Rishipureeswarar and Chockanaathar and so this place is called
‘Panchalingasthalam’. Varaguna Pandiyan came to this sacred place
and got relieved of his ‘brahmahatthi dosha’. Since Pattinathar,
Badragiriyaar, Varaguna Pandiyan, Arunagirinathar and Karuvoor Thevar have
worshipped the Lord here, this place has become quite well-known. Here
Badragiriyaar and his disciple attained mukti.
Pattinathar has sung many songs celebrating this
place. The four Nayanmaar, Appar, Tirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar
have composed ‘Thevaram’ songs consecrating this temple. Arunagirinathar
have celebrated this place in his ‘Thirupugazh’. Those with ‘Anusha’ star can
be relieved of their afflictions in this place.
