Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Temple gets new ‘spadiga lingam'

— Photo: S. James

ALL THE WAY FROM HIMALAYAS:The new ' Spadiga Lingam ' of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai.

MADURAI: A new ‘spadiga lingam' has been brought from the Himalayas for Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple to replace the centuries old existing one that has developed cracks.

The lingam, worth over Rs. 7.5 lakh, was obtained after several attempts as it was not easy to get one as per the right specifications, said the chairman of the board of trustees of the temple, Karumuttu T. Kannan. This lingam will be the ‘Udayavar' (companion) to the ‘Moolavar,' and has been approved by stapathis and ‘agama' experts. Its ‘Prathistam' (consecration) would be performed on March 16, and the yagasala puja on March 15.

The brass container of the lingam would be replaced with a gold one weighing half-a kilo, and the ‘abhisheka peedam' made of copper with a silver one weighing 12 kg.

The ‘dwajasthambam' of Lord Sundareswarar shrine would also be replaced. “It has become old and was tilting to one side. With much efforts, we located a 66-feet-high tree in the forests near Shencottah and took possession of it. Wood processing work is going on,” he said.

On works at sub-temples of Meenakshi temple, he said that kumbabhishekam of the Mariamman Temple at Teppakulam would be held on March 24. Renovation work worth Rs. 75 lakh had been taken up at the temple. The work includes gold plating of the ‘Kodi Maram' and demolition of the partition walls. Mr. Kannan said that a vimanam was being constructed at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh for the Bhairavar temple located near the Mariamman Temple.

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