Link in the Marudur chain
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The place, the deity and the tank are all special in Tiruvidaimarudur.
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— PHOTOS: R. Shivaji Rao
MAJESTIC: The Rajagopuram of Mahalingaswamy temple
An important destination for Saivite pilgrims is a small town on the southern bank of the Cauvery, 10 km from Kumbakonam.
Tiruvidaimarudur is well connected by both rail and road, thanks to its proximity to Mayiladuthurai.
The 1,200-year-old Sri Brahat Sundara Gujambal samedha Jothi Mahalingeswarar temple, centrally ensconced in this well planned town, is huge touching four main streets.
Popular for all the three factors namely sthalam, moorthi and tirtham, the temple has seven gopurams, seven prakarams, 32 holy tirthams and 27 celestial star lingams.
Famous adage
SACRED WATERS: Karunaamirtha tirtham
The place is called Idaimarudur-Mathiarjunam, derived from its location between two other Siva temples and the sthala vriksham which is Marudu (arjunam).
The other two temples are Thalaimarudhur-Mallikarjunam in Srisailam in the north and Kadaimarudhur — Putarjunam at Thirupudaimaruthur near Tirunelveli in the south.
The place is also called Panchalingasthalam as Mahalingeswara is surrounded by Viswanathar, Anmamathai, Rishipureeswarar and Chokkanathar. "Thiruvarur Therazhaghu, Thiruvidaimaruthur Thiruvazhaghu... " goes the saying, Thiru here referring to the beauty of the deity. The lingam is indeed majestic on a six-ft pedestal. Another interpretation is Thiruvidaimarudhur Theruazhaghu... ' Quite apt, the streets being wide and well laid out.
Separate niches
Among the 32 tirthams here, Karunyatirtham, the tank on the east, and the Poosatirtha ghat on the Cauvery bank are important. U. V. Swaminatha Iyer in his book, "Thiruthalangal Varalaru," gives writes extensively on Poosatirtha ghat. This tirtham is also called `kalyana tirtham' as Siva after His wedding with Umadevi is said to have given darshan to Agathiar.
The east-facing temple has four rajagopurams facing each of the four directions and three inner gopurams. `Padithurai Vinayakar' (it is believed that once the Cauvery was running this way and hence the name) welcomes those who enter the temple. Next to him there is a magnificent stucco sculptured Nandi richly decorated and 50 ft in height.
The bas-relief sculptured Brahmahati with the head resting on its folded knee is at the entrance of the presiding deity's shrine. It is interesting that those who enter through this sannidhi will leave only through the Amman shrine. The idea is to avoid Brahmahati who will not enter the shrine but wait outside to catch its victims.
WHITE SPLENDOUR: Devendra Nandhi
There are three prakarams around the sanctum sanctorum. In the first there are shrines for Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthi, Subramanyar, Mahalakshmi, Durga, Chandikeswarar apart from the stucco-sculptured hill on top of which are the granite idols of Marudhavanar and Anbirpriyalamman. One can also see the figure of Ravana trying to lift the hill.
In the northern side of the next prakaram, called the Pranava prakaram, there is a separate temple for Muruga built in the Nayakkar style. A majestic Maruda tree stands here. Below the tree is the beautiful image of Balakrishnan. The Bhairava shrine faces south and in front of it is the singamuga kinaru — `Krishna suba tirtham.' The third prakaram, Chitraprakaram, is lined with sculpted figures depicting Siva in various forms. In the northern side there is a separate temple for Chokkanathar and Meenakshi and it is believed that recitation of Thevaram in Mehakurinji raga with abishekam to these deities will bring rain.
On the south-east side of the temple is a shrine for Goddess Mookambigai. The tower of this shrine resembles that of the Manikarnigai tirtha ghat at Kasi. The Ambal is found in padmasana. She is doing penance to get rid of Brahmahati dosham caused by the killing of Mukasooran. The Sri Chakra Mahameru by the side of Mookambigai is worshipped for mental health.
The outermost prakaram of this temple is `Aswamedha thiruchutru' and circumambulation here is equivalent to performing Aswamedhayagam.
Festivals
STUNNING ARCHITECTURE: The Mahamantapam leading to the shrines
Skandasashti, Vasantha utsavam, 1,008 sanghu abishekam (during Karthigai somavaram), Sivaratri and the ten-day Thaipoosam festival are important. During Skanda Sashti, unlike in other temples, here Lord Muruga receives the `vel' (lance) from Siva.
In praise of the Lord
The four Saiva saints, Pattinathar, Pathragiriyar, Arunagirinathar, Varagunapandian and Karuvoor Thevar have all sung the glory of Mahalingeswarar. It was here that Adi Sankara was said to have been enlightened on the supremacy of Advaita philosophy. Sreedhara Ayyaval of Thiruvisainallur and Pathragiriyar merged with the Jothi of Mahalingeswarar. The temple is under the management of Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam and kumbabishekam was last conducted 30 years ago. Consecration has been planned at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crores and Balalayam was established in 2000. The long delayed renovation has begun. Work is being done with contributions from donors. Those who wish to donate may contact Sri Jothi Mahalingeswarar Narpani Mandram, 43, Sannidhi St., Tiruvidaimarudhur-612 104. Ph: 04352-461946.
S. ASOKAN
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