Ilamkovil Sakalabhuvaneswarar Temple, Tirumeeyachur,
Thiruvarur
Ilamkovil Sakalabhuvaneswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Tirumeeyachur in Thiruvarur District of
Tamilnadu. Presiding deity is called as Sakalabhuvaneswarar. His consort
is known as Mekalambika. This temple is located inside the main Lalithambika
Meganatha Swami Temple. It is one of the shrines
of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Thirunavukkarasar. This is the 174th
Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 57th Shiva Sthalam on the
southern bank of Cauvery in Chozha Naadu.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
This temple is located inside the main Lalithambika
Meganatha Swami Temple. It is located on the
northern side of inner prakaram. Since there are two temples one within the
other, a unique feature of this temple is that you can see Shiva (present as
Lingothbavar), Vishnu and Brahma simultaneously from the North West corner of
the outer praharam. Presiding deity is called as Sakalabhuvaneswarar. Lord
Shiva is a Swayambumurthy. His consort is known as Mekalambika / Minnumegalaial.
Sthala Vriksham is Mandarai and Vilwa. Theertham is Surya Pushkarini.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and
4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Ratha Sapthami in the Month of Thai is an important
festival in the temple. This festival signs the turning of Sun’s Ratha (car)
marking the beginning of Utharayana period from the month of Thai
(January-February) towards North from the South. Utharayana covers six months
beginning from Thai to Aani month (June-July). All festivals related to Lord
Shiva and Mother Ambika is celebrated in the temple in a grand manner.
Literary
Mention
Saint Thirunavukkarasar has praised the temple in his
Thevaram. This is the 174th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 57th
Shiva Sthalam on the southern bank of Cauvery in Chozha Naadu. Thirunavukkarasar
describes the feature of the deity as:
ஆறு கொண்ட சடையினர் தாமுமோர்
வேறு கொண்டதொர் வேடத்த ராகிலும்
கூறு கொண்டுகந் தாளொடு மீயச்சூர்
ஏறு கொண்டுகந் தாரிளங் கோயிலே
வேறு கொண்டதொர் வேடத்த ராகிலும்
கூறு கொண்டுகந் தாளொடு மீயச்சூர்
ஏறு கொண்டுகந் தாரிளங் கோயிலே
Prayers
Virgins seek the blessings of Lord Kalyana Sundareswarar
with garlands and archanas for early happy marriage. The sick offer Pirandai
rice on the lotus leaf for cure. Devotees pray to Mother Lalithambika for child
boon, removal of obstacles in marriage alliances, for gaining progress in
education. Blessed with a response to their prayers, devotees offer abisheka
and vastras to Lord and Mother. They also offer anklets to Mother Lalithambika.
Those chanting the Lalitha Sahasranama (1000 names of
Mother Lalithambika) and Lalitha Navaratnamala is gifted with total grace of
the Mother. Devotees perform Ayush Homa and Mrutynjay Homa and offer rice made
with Pirandai placed on lotus leaf to Lord as an offering (Nivedhana) Shiva for
longevity and to conquer Yama.
Contact
Mekalambika-Sakalabhuvaneswarar Temple,
Tirumeeyachur – 609 405,
Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 – 4366 – 239
170
Mobile: +91 – 94448 36526
Connectivity
This temple is located inside the main Lalithambika
Meganatha Swami Temple. The Temple is located at
2 Kms from Peralam, 25 Kms from Thiruvarur, 21 Kms from Thiruvirkudi, 6 Kms
from Koothanur, 19 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 33 Kms from Kumbakonam and 125 Kms
from Trichy. Bus facility is available to Peralam from Mayiladuthurai. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Peralam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.