Varundeeswarar Temple,
Varagadai, Mayiladuthurai
Varundeeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Varagadai Village in Mayiladuthurai Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Varundeeswarar / Vaidyanatha Swamy and Mother is called as Varundeeswara Amman / Thaiyal Nayagi Annapoorani. The Temple is situated on the banks of Uppanar River. There are five Vaidyanatha Swamy Temples around Vaitheeswaran Koil called as Pancha Vaidyanatha Kshetrams. This Temple is one among them.
History
It is believed to be built by a
Chola King named Jayadwa. The Temple was extensively renovated by
Kopperunjinga, Kadava chieftain in 12th Century CE.
The Temple
The Temple is facing towards
east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco image of Lingam
flanked by Nandis. The Temple is enclosed by compound walls on all sides. Nandi
and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Varundeeswarar
/ Vaidyanatha Swamy and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form
of Lingam. Dakshinamoorthy, Vinayaga, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta
idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be
found in his usual location. Dakshinamurthy has a devotee with folded hands
instead of the usual Chanakadhi Rishis. Mother is called as Varundeeswara Amman
/ Thaiyal Nayagi Annapoorani. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Nandi
and Balipeedam can be found facing the shrine. There are shrines for Vinayaga
and Subramanya in the temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2
Kms from Korukkai, 3 Kms from Villiyanallur, 5 Kms
from Manalmedu, 8 Kms from Nidur Railway Station, 12 Kms from Mayiladuthurai,
12 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Junction Railway Station and 133 Kms from Trichy
Airport. Devotees need to travel in Mayiladuthurai to Manalmedu Route, take a
left turn after crossing Villiyanallur, travel for another 3 Kms to reach this
Temple.