Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam, Madurai
Edaganathar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruvedagam Village in Madurai
district in the South
Indian state of Tamil
Nadu. The temple is located on the banks of Vaigai
River. The Vaigai River flows in the
direction North to South here in Thiruvedagam. Presiding Deity is called as
Edakanatheswarar. Mother is called as Elavarkuzhali / Sugandha Kundalambikai. The
temple complex covers five acres and it houses two gateway towers known
as gopurams, each facing the
Edaganathar and Elavarkuzhali shrine. The temple has a number of shrines, with
those of Edaganathar and his consort being the most prominent.
The original complex is believed to
have been built by Pandyan Empire, while the present
masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th
century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by
the Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments Department of the Government
of Tamil Nadu. This temple is erected to commemorate the victory of
Saivites over Jains and to emphasis that Shiva is the greatest God of all. The
temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to
8:30 p.m. and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Muthu
Pandal festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February –
March) is the most prominent festival.
The presiding deity is
revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint
poets known as the Nayanmars and classified
as Paadal
Petra Sthalam. The temple is closely linked with the history of
Saivite Child Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and is praised in his Thevaram hymns. This
is the 248th Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river
Vaigai and 4th Sthalam of Pandya Naadu. Thirupugazh, the work of Arunagirinathar, a 13th-century saint
glorifies the temple.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from
4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Worship
Practices & Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Literary
Mention
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 Sambandar. Thirupugazh, the work of Arunagirinathar, a 13th-century saint glorifies the temple. The temple is closely linked with the history of Saivite
Child Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and is praised in his Thevaram hymns. Sambandar's
patikam on a palm leaf (Edu) is said to have gone against the current of Vaigai
and settled here, as opposed to the leaf floated by the once dominant Jains
here, hence the name Thiruvedagam. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung the hymn
starts with ‘Vazhka Anadhanar'. This is the 248th Devara Padal
Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Vaigai and 4th Sthalam
of Pandya Naadu.
Prayers
As people perform remedial prayers and pujas in
Tirumananjeri for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, devotees do it in
this temple also. They offer garlands to Mother Elavarkuzhali and take to
their homes. They worship the garland and perform pujas for 48 days to realize
the wedding wish. After marriage, couple come to the temple and offer
prayers to Ambica. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for
the renovation of the temple.
Contact
Edaganathar Temple,
Thiruvedagam – 624 234,
Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District,
Phone: +91 4543 259 311
Mobile: +91 99432 61487
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;