Mahalingeswarar Temple,
Devangudi, Cuddalore
Mahalingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Devangudi Village in Virudhachalam Taluk in Cuddalore
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mahalingeswarar and Mother
is called as Maragadambikai.
Legends
As per legends, this place was ruled by King Narendran.
He had a son named Sarangathevan. King’s youngest wife Chitrangi had a crush
towards prince. Pious prince refused her immoral wish. Queen got offended and
informed King that prince approached her for illegal relationship. She also
requested King to cut off his hands and legs as a punishment. Prince got back
his hands and legs by praying to seven Shiva Temples located on the banks of
Vellaru River. This Place was called as Saranga Thevan Kudi and later got
corrupted to Devangudi.
The Temple
This is a small east facing temple with an entrance
facing southern direction. Presiding Deity is called as Mahalingeswarar and is facing
east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy,
Lingodhbava, Brahma, Durga and Muthukumaran are the Koshta Idols located around
the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Maragadambikai. She is housed in a
separate shrine facing south. There is a shrine for Kudamuzhuku Vinayagar at
the entrance of the Temple. There are shrines of Kala Bhairavar and Navagrahas
in the Temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Kammapuram, 11
Kms from Srimushnam, 15 Kms from Virudhachalam, 16 Kms from Virudhachalam Bus
Stand, 19 Kms from Virudhachalam Railway Station, 16 Kms from Sethiyathope, 63
Kms from Cuddalore and 146 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Virudhachalam
to Sethiyathope Route. Devotees has to take a right turn at Kammapuram and
travel for another 2 Kms to reach this Temple.