Sarguna Lingeswarar Temple,
Marudhanallur – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco image of Ardhanareeswarar flanked by Nandis and Bhooda Ganas. The Temple has single prakaram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum immediately after the entrance. There is no flag staff or Dwajastambam in the temple. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Sarguna Lingeswarar / Karukudi Nathar / Brahmapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. The Linga is very small in size. There are signs on the Linga showing that it was made of sand. The Avudayar Peeta is of stone. Abhishekam is not performed to Lingam as it is made of sand.
Abhishekam is performed only after covering the Lingam with a Kavasam. Shrines of Dwara Vinayakar and Bala Murugan can be found at the entrance of the Mahamandapam. Dwarapalakas can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Narthana Vinayagar, Veenadhara Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Lingothbhava and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy is found accompanied by two Sanakathi sages instead of four sages. Narthana Vinayaga was flanked by Bhooda Ganas. Lingothbhavar is situated in the Koshta wall behind the sanctum. Lord Vishnu and Brahma can be found in worshipping posture on either side of Lingothbhavar. Thus, devotees can enjoy the darshan of Hindu Trinity. Chandikeswarar can be found in his usual location.
Mother is called as Advaita Nayaki / Kalyani Nayagi / Sarvalankara Nayaki. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. It is noteworthy that Lord and Mother are facing east direction and Mother shrine is situated on the right side of the sanctum. This symbolizes their wedding posture. The statue of a trader Danajaya in worshipping form can be found before the Mother shrine.
The idol of Chola King Kulothungan-III can be seen in front of Mother shrine. There is also an idol of Pandiya king Sargunan and his minister. There is a shrine for Hanumantha Lingam in the Temple premises. Nandi can be found facing the shrine. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the Temple premises. Lord Murugan’s vehicle (peacock) is looking towards the earth. Devotees worship here to seek help for Vasthu related Doshas.
There are shrines for Sakthi Vinayagar, Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Gaja Lakshmi, Suryan, Chandran, Bala Subramanya, Navagrahas, Bala Saneeswarar, a Shiva Linga with Mother and Bhairavar in the Temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple is Kari Theertham / Yama Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilva tree.
