Marudheeswarar Temple, Navamal Marudhur, Kandamangalam, Villupuram
Marudheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Navamal Marudhur Village near Kandamangalam in Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located very near to Union Territory of Puducherry. Presiding Deity is called as Marudheeswarar and Mother is called as Marudhambigai. This Siva temple was built before Thanjavur Periya Koil.
Legends
Navamal Maruthur:
The place is called as Navamal Maruthur (Navam – Nine, Aal – Temple, Marutham – Land suitable for Agriculture & Oor – Place). This is the place where nine temples are located, also suitable for agriculture.
Maruthur:
It is believed that Lord Shiva was manifested in a Marudha tree here (Arjun tree). Hence the place is called as Marudhur.
Appar visit to this Temple:
It is believed that Appar, one among the top four Nayanmars had visited this Temple and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Parakesi Munivar consecrated this Temple:
It is believed that Parakesi Munivar installed the Shiva Linga and consecrated the Temple.
History
Kandamangalam is known as Kandathithar Sathurvethi Mangalam during Chola Period. Marudheeswarar Temple was built during the period of Cholas.
The Temple
The entrance of the Temple is in southern side. This Temple has been entirely built with granite. Presiding Deity is called as Marudheeswarar and Mother is called as Marudhambigai. Both Lord Shiva and Mother are facing Southern Direction. Huge Nandi can be found facing sanctum. The Temple Pond (7 Acres) is located just in front of the temple.
Murugan and Vinayaka shrines can be seen behind the main Shrines. There are shrines for Suryan, Chandran, Kala Bhairava and Navagrahas in front of Mother shrine. All these shrines are facing north. There is a shrine for Bhairavar in this Temple. Bhairava of this Temple is very powerful. There are records from 1056 AD in the Karanthai Temple in Thanjavur District about the gift of 66 acres of land allotted to this temple by Rajaraja Chola.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Kandamangalam Bus Stop, 2.5 Kms from Chinna Babu Samudram Railway Station, 6 Kms from Thiruvandarkoil, 8 Kms from Madagadipet, 10 Kms from Villianur, 18 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 20 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 25 Kms from Villupuram, 23 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 158 Kms from Chennai Airport and 170 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is located on the Puducherry – Villupuram highway. Bus facilities are available from both ends. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand.
From Pondicherry, take the Villupuram bound Bus and get down at Kandamangalam Bus Stop. Share Autos are available from Kandamangalam Bus Stop to reach this Temple. The Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation and The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates bus services from Pondicherry to Villupuram via Kandamangalam. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chinna Babu Samudram and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location
