Markandeya Temple, T.
Manalmedu, Mayiladuthurai
Markandeya Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in T. Manalmedu Village near Thirukadaiyur in Tharangambadi Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mrigandeswarar and Mother is called as Maruthuvathy Ambal. The Temple is situated very close to Thirukadaiyur Amirthakadeswarar Temple.
Legends
As per legend, Mrikandu Rishi and his wife Marudmati worshipped Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. Mrikandu Rishi performed penance on Lord Shiva for realizing his wish. Lord Shiva appeared before him and he was given the choice of either a righteous son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life. Mrikandu rishi chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of 16.
The place where Mrikandu Maharishi performed penance to Lord Shiva can be found in the temple premises. Sage Markandeya grew up to be a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death he continued his worship of Shiva in his aniconic form of Shivalingam in Thirukadaiyur Amirthakadeswarar Temple. The messengers of Yama, the god of death was unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva.
Lord Yama then came in person to
take away Markandeya's life and sprung his noose around the young sage's neck.
By accident or fate the noose mistakenly landed around the Shivalingam, and out
of it, Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression.
After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Lord Shiva then
revived him, under the condition that the devout youth would live forever. For
this act, Shiva was thereafter also known as Kalantaka (Kala Samhara
Moorthy)
The Temple
The temple is facing towards east with a three tier Rajagopuram. Dwajastambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Mrigandeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be found in his usual location.
Mother is called as Maruthuvathy Ambal. She is housed in separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. There is a shrine for Sage Markandeya in Maha Mandapam. Utsava Idol of Markandeya can be found in his shrine. It is a general practice to tie Parivattam (turban) to all the devotees in Markandeya Shrine. Sabha Mandapam can be found in the prakaram.
There are shrines for Bala Anjaneya, Vinayaga, Shanmuga Subramaniya, Gajalakshmi, Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran in the temple premises. The place where Mrikandu Maharishi performed penance to Lord Shiva and the actual Lingam is located under Arasu (Peepal) and Vembu (Neem) tree along with Vinayaga and Rahu Idol. There is also a shrine for Rettai Pillayar behind these trees. It is believed that if one circumambulate 18 times and worship Vinayaga, his wishes will be fulfilled.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from
08.30 AM to 01.30 PM and 05.00 PM to 08.30 PM.
Prayers
Those who visit Thirukadaiyur Amirthakadeswarar Temple should also
visit this Temple for a prosperous life and for the welfare of their family.
Those who perform Thirukalyanam here, their unmarried sons and daughters will
get married soon. Special Pooja called Panchakshara Homam is performed here for
the welfare of the family. Those who perform Shanku Abishekam to the deities
would get a disease-free life. Ganga water from Kasi is arranged
here performing Abishekams (Ganga Pooja). Hence, those who want to perform
Shastiapthapoorthi, Bheemaradha Shanthi and Sadabishekam need not bring the
holy water from the Ganga River. Lalitha Sahasranama Homa is performed here for
promoting Ashta Ishwaryam in devotees family and his
profession.
Contact
Markandeya Temple,
T. Manalmedu, Tharangambadi
Taluk,
Mayiladuthurai District – 609
311
Phone: +91 4364 287 461
/ 287 325
Mobile: +91 84892 38904
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1.5
Kms from Thirukadaiyur Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Thirukadaiyur Amirthakadeswarar Temple,
5 Kms from Thiruvidaikazhi, 9 Kms from Tharangambadi, 21 Kms from Karaikal, 22
Kms from Karaikal Railway Station, 38 Kms from Mayiladuthurai and 149 Kms from Trichy
Airport. This temple is on the way to Thiruvidaikazhi from Thirukadaiyur.