Saptharisheeswarar Temple, Lalgudi – The Temple
Saptharisheeswarar
Temple is located in center of Lalgudi town. Shiva Linga here is in a self-made
form. The main Sannidhi is facing the west direction. The lord Shiva here is
also called as Saptharisheeswarar / Thiruthavathurai Nathar / Thejovidangar. The
Linga has a vertical red split on its head. Sun rays illuminate the base
of the Shiva Linga for about 15 minutes daily in the morning for six months. Earlier
Lalgudi used to be called as Thiruthavathurai. When Malik Kapoor of “Aladdin
Kilji’s” army ruled this place during 13th century he checked his
people about this temple. This temple’s tower was in red color. In his mother
tongue Urdu he enquired about the Red Tower temple (Red – Lal, Tower – Gudi).
Hence this place became Lalgudi.
Goddess
at this temple is named as Periya Nayagi / Shivakamasundari Perunthiru Piratiyar
/ Maha Sampath Gowri. Periya Nayagi Sannidhi is facing the east direction. There
are separate Sannidhis for Maha Lakshmi, Bitchadanar and Artha Nareeshwarar. At
this temple Dhakshinamoorthy is in unique form as he is carrying a Veena (Veena
– Indian musical instrument) in his hand. During the “Guru Peyarchi”, Special
poojas will be conducted for the Dhakshinamoorthy at this temple. There is also
dedicated Navagraha Sannidhi at this temple. Navagraha Sannidhi is facing the
direction of Sun. Lighting the ghee lamp is the method of worship at this
temple.
As per
Sekkizhar’s Periya Puranam, Sambandhar had sung Thevaram on this Shiva but the
Thevara verses have not been found so far. Theertham is called as Sivagangai and Chakra Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Peepal
Tree. A pond that adorns the front of the temple has water in it based on
the monsoon that year. The pond had intricate canals
constructed which lead water to the base of the Shiva Linga. But over the years
the canal seems to have given way and water does not flow down to the Linga as described
in literature.
