Marga Sahayeswarar Temple,
Moovalur – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about 1.5 acres and has two prakarams. Shrines of Vinayagar and Murugan can be seen in front the Rajagopuram. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam is flanked by four Nandis on the four corners. This arrangement is a rare feature. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
The Maha Mandapam is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam). Shrines of Maha Ganapathy, Sapta Matrikas and Saptha Nagas can be seen in the Ardha Mandapam. Sculptures of Aatkondar and Uyyakondar can be seen at the entrance of sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Marga Sahayeswarar / Marga Sahayar / Vazhi Kattum Vallal / Punnaga Vaneswarar and he is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma, Durga, Pipalar, Chandrasenar, Veerasenar, Kariyasenar and Karkodakan are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Dakshinamoorthy is called as Medha Dakshinamoorthy. It is a rare feature it is a rare to see the face of an elephant, lion, deer, Rishaba, Muyalagan, Sanagathiyar and four disciples under the feet of Dakshinamoorthy.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his location. This temple has two Ambikas namely Mangalambikai and Soundara Nayagi. Soundara Nayagi is housed in a separate south facing shrine in Maha Mandapam. Intricate carvings can be seen on the outer walls of her shrine. Mangalambikai is also housed in a separate south facing shrine in Ardha Mandapam.
There is shrine housing three Vinayagar idols in the outer prakaram. Shrines and idols of Annamalaiyar, Unnamalai Amman, Vishwanathar, Visalakshi, Sokkanathar, Meenakshi, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma Lingam, Gajalakshmi, Sadaiyappar, Dakshinamoorthy, Maha Lakshmi, Nataraja, Bhairava, Saneeswara, Nalvar, Ganesha, Navagraha, Sambandar, Daksha, Kandavel, Muruga with his consorts Valli & Devasena can be seen in this Temple.
Sthala Vriksham is Punnai Tree. It can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram on the left side. Shrine of Adhi Marga Sahayeswarar can be seen below this tree. There is an ancient Jack fruit tree in the temple premises. Theerthams associated with this Temple are Cauvery River, Chandra Pushkarini, Durga Pushkarini, and Upamanyu Koobam. There is a wooden car and a silver Rishaba Vahanam for the temple.
