Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Mookambikai Shrine
Mookambikai is one of the two mothers associated with Lord Mahalingeswarar. She is mentioned as Pidari Parameswari in inscriptions. She is housed in a separate north facing shrine. The Shrine is built in north Indian style. The design of the Mookambigai temple is quite different from the rest of the temple and it might have been influenced by the Maratha culture.
The shrine is situated on the south east side of the temple premises. The tower of this shrine resembles that of the Manikarnika Tirtha Ghat at Kasi. It is believed that this shrine might have been added in the 16th century CE. Though the structure has been built in later days the goddess must have been here in olden times. She is found in padmasana.
She is doing penance to get rid of Brahmmahathi dosham caused by the killing of Mukasooran. The Sri Chakra Mahameru by the side of Mookambigai is worshipped for mental health. The main Mookambigai temple is in Karnataka on the banks of the river Sowparnika and the other one is this temple, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery.
