Singeeswarar Temple, Mappedu – The Temple

Singeeswarar Temple, Mappedu – The Temple

The temple has 5 tiered Rajagopuram on the south side but the sanctum is east facing. The Temple covers an area of 5 acres. This is a recently renovated ancient temple and is a special temple for people born in ‘Moolam’ star. This temple was built by Aditya Karikalan in 967 CE and developments done later by Krishnadevaraya. The flag post, Nandi mandapa and bali peetha are located facing the main shrine. 

Bali Peedam in this Temple is unique and is 6 feet high and is known as Nava Vyakarana Bali Peedam. It is a general belief, that if one stands on this Bali Peedam, faces north and prays Lord here, he will have a relief in bone and knee related pain and diseases. Presiding Deity is called as Singeeswarar. Singeeswarar is found in the form of a slightly big Shiva Lingam in the sanctum.

The sanctum is on a raised platform. There are two Ganesha idols found at the entrance of the sanctum. The Maha mandapam has few pillars with good sculpture. Natarajar Saba is situated in Mahamandapam. The wall around the main shrine has Ganesha, Dakshina Murti, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga as the koshta idols. Chandikeswarar is found near Durga.

Mahavishnu Sannidhi is in the Goshta or behind the Main Temple. Usually Lingodhbava Sannidhi is seen behind in temples. The Vimanam over the sanctum carries many images such as Gajasamahara moorthy, Veena Dhakshinamoorthy, Naalvar, Kannappar, Ekapatha moorthy, Bikshadana, Anandha Thandava Murthi, Sivakami, Oordhva Thandava Murthi, Shiva and Parvathy on the Rishaba Vahanam and Karaikkal Ammai.

Mother is called as Pushpakujambal / Poomulainayaki. She is found in a separate east facing shrine in the prakara. The mandapam of this shrine has good sculptures. There is a unique shrine for Dakshinamurthy under the Raja Gopuram/Main Entrance of Temple on the left side. Usually, Dhakshinamoorthy shrine is seen in the Prakaram or surroundings of temple.

There is only one prakaram in this temple and the prakaram is wide and big. There is a separate sanctum for Sri Adhikesava Perumal with Sri Boo-Devi. The shrines of Asthana Vinayagar, Surya, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, Surya and Bhairava are located in the prakaram. There is a Vasantha mandapam with a lot of beautiful pillars with sculptures.

There is a shrine for Shiva Linga, Veerapaleeswarar near Vasantha Mandapam. This sanctum is in the Eesana part (North-East) of the temple. This is believed to be a 5000 years old lingam. There is no Ambal for this Lord from time immemorial. A rare idol of Hanuman with veena is found facing this shrine. People, who seek skill in music, pray to him.

Holy water (Theertham) is Swetha Padma Pushkarini. Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) is Ilandhai Maram (Zizhyphus jujube). During Arudhra season, since these fruits are abundant, it has become a mandatory practice to add this fruit in Pancha-Amirtha during Abhishekam. There is a symbol on the outer wall that shows a snake, and a disc, that signifies moon. This is a sign to denote that Sthalam is a parihara Sthalam.