Rathnagiriswarar Temple,
Thirumarugal – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. There is another entrance with three tiered gopuram on the southern side. The Temple has two prakarams and completely enclosed within the compound walls. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram, facing towards sanctum. There is a platform on the left side of the Dhwaja Sthambam under the Vanni tree.
It is believed that the platform is the place where Thirugnana Sambandar arranged the marriage of the Chetti son with the Chetti girl after saving the Chetti son from the snake bite through his hymns on Lord Shiva. It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built around 70 Maadakovils. This Temple is considered one among them. The unique feature about these temples are that it is not easily approachable by an elephant.
He built these temples at an elevation and there are few steps need to be climbed before seeing Lord in the sanctum. Also, the entrance to the sanctum would be so narrow that elephants cannot enter it. The Maada Kovil consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Rathnagiriswarar / Maanikkavannar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Vanduvar Kuzhali / Aamodhalanayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the mukha mandapam on the right side.
Yamuna Chandikeswari shrine can be seen near mother shrine similar to the Chandikeswarar shrine of the sanctum. Paintings depicting the legends of King Kusakethu and Thirugnana Sambandar saving the Chetti son from snake bite can be seen in her shrine. There is a shrine for Saneeswarar on the right side of Mother shrine. There is a south facing shrine for Nataraja in the maha mandapam.
Paintings of Patanjali and Vyagrapada can be seen at the entrance of the Nataraja shrine. Shrines and idols of 63 Nayanmars, Parasara Lingam, Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Somaskandar, Nalvar, Prathana Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Chandran, Suryan, Nagas, Maha Lakshmi and Thirugnana Sambandar can be seen in the inner prakaram.
Idols of Chetti Son and Chetti girl can be found in single peedam in the inner prakaram. Shrines of Marugalurudayar, Soundaranayaki, Sapta Matrikas, Suram Theertha Vinayagar and Santhana Vinayagar can be seen in the outer prakaram. There is an ancient rice granary on the left side of the entrance to the inner prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Marugal (a type of Banana tree).
Theertham associated with this temple are Lakshmi Theertham / Manicka Theertham and Shiva Theertham. Lakshmi Theertham is situated in front of the temple with Neerazhi Mandapam at the centre. Shrine of Muthu Vinayagar can be seen on the banks of the Lakshmi Theertham. Shiva Theertham is situated inside the temple premises.
