In the Chozha Period Inscription, Mookambigai is referred to as 'Yogi Iruntha Parameswari'
10
kms East of Kumbakonam on the Mayiladuthurai Highway is the towering Mahalingaswamy
temple in Thiruvidaimaruthur located on a huge 20 acre space.
A huge tank at the
Eastern entrance, 7 towers and 7 prakaras welcome one into the sanctum of the
Lord who has been loftily praised by all the four Saint Poets.
முந்திச் செய்வினை
இம்மைக்கண் நலிய
மூர்க்கனாகிக் கழிந்தன
காலம்
சிந்தித் தேமனம்
வைக்கவும் மாட்டேன்
சிறுச்சிறி தேஇரப்
பார்க்கட் கொண்றீயேன்
அந்தி வெண்பிறை
சூடும் எம்
மானே
ஆரூர் மேவிய
அமரர்கள் தலைவா
எந்தை நீஎனக்
குய்வகை அருளாய்
இடைமருதுறை எந்தை
பிரானே - Sundarar
Pandya King and Maruthur
In
the 3rd prakara, one finds the idol of Varaguna Pandya of Madurai
who came here to relieve himself of Brahmma Hathi Dosham. During one of his
hunting expeditions, his arrow unexpectedly struck and killed a Brahmin. Bound
by Brahmma Hathi Dosham, he came to Thiruvidaimaruthur, had bath in the Cauvery
and invoked the blessings of Lord Mahalingam.
Liberated
from the sin, he constructed the Western Raja Gopuram and a prakara for Lord
Shiva to come on a procession. He also built a temple for his Kula Deivam Sokka
Nathar at Thiruvidaimaruthur.
Unique Features
A
unique feature of the location is that it is central to his 9 satellites in
this region – Vinayaka at Thiru Valanchuli, Subramanya at Swami Malai,
Chandikeswarar at Thiruvoipadi, Navagraha at Suryanar Koil, Nataraja at Chidambaram,
Bairavi at Sirkazhi, Nandeeswarar at Thiruvavaduthurai, Somaskandar at
Thiruvarur and Dakshinamurthy at Thiru Alangudi.
Another
feature is that the temple is surrounded on all the four sides by Saivite
Temples – Banapuram in the East, Thiru Neelakudi in the South, Thirubhuvanam in
the West and the Idankodeeswaram temple in the North.
In
the Thirumurai, the Lord is referred to as Idaimaruthan and Maruthavaanar.
Thiru Gnana Sambanthar in his praise of the temple refers to the name of the
Ambal as Perunala Mulai.
ஓடே கலன் உண்பதும் ஊரிடு பிச்சை
காடேயிட மாவது
கல்லால் நிழற்கீழ்
வாடாமுலை மங்கையுந்
தானும் மகிழ்ந்து
ஈடாவுறை கின்ற
இடைமரு தீதோ
The
inscriptions inside the temple refer to the Lord as Thiruvidai Maruthudaiyaar.
Another inscription dating back to the Chozha period refers to Mookambigai
inside the temple as ‘Yogi Iruntha Parameswari’. She is seen in a penance
posture.
Just
under a 50 years ago, there were a 100 houses in the agraharam. All the Mada
Vilagams were filled with traditional people.
Sage
Agastaya undertook penance here invoking the blessings of Ambal. When the Sage
sought the blessings of Shiva as well, Ambal too undertook penance along with
the Sage to seek the Lord’s presence here in Thiruvidaimaruthur. The Lord first
provided darshan as Fire and then as a lingam. When the Sage pleaded for the
full darshan of the Lord, He provided darshan seated upon the deer with a
‘Pirai’ on his head much to the delight of Sage Agastya.
Inscriptions
During the rule of Vikrama Chozha, donations were made for the perpetual lighting of lamp for Lord Mahalingam. Under Koppara Kesari’s reign, an order was made for the presentation of Chakkarai Pongal to the Lord and 3 Veli Land were allocated to this end. Also, 5 Veli land was given to feed 20 Brahmins every day. Also, during his rule, a donation was made for the Ghee Abhishekam on the night of Thiruvathirai.
There was a donation for the presentation of Thiru Amuthu for Lord Nataraja every No Moon day.
The Vasantha Mandapam was constructed during the rule of Kulothunga III. In Vaikasi, starting on the Punarpusam day 10 day Vasantha utsavam is celebrated in a grand way
Festivals
18
day Brahmotsavam in Thai is the biggest festival at the temple
10
day Kalyana utsavam in Vaikasi
10
day Aadi Pooram utsavam for Ambal
Pancha
Moorthy Procession in Karthigai
Deity:
Mahalingam
Ambal:
Pragath Sundara Kusaambigai
The
temple is open between 6am-12noon and 4pm - 9pm. Contact Dhandapani Gurukal @
97917 82878
1 comment:
Thanks for the information in detail. Great to know such info.
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