Thiru Pudaimaruthur Naarumbu Nathar

Lord Naarumbu Nathar is seen in a tilted posture listening to the devotional rendition of a devotee

One finds a cut on his head in memory of the historical episode relating to Pandya King slashing the sickle on a hidden deer

Kannan Gurukal remains the only traditionalist in this temple town that not so long ago had 350 of them residing in the agraharam

It is 515 am on a Tuesday morning in Karthigai with a slight drizzle around the corner.  It is still quiet at the Tamaraibarani. The villagers are just beginning to turn up for their morning bath at the various ‘padi thurai’ along the banks. S Kannan Bhattar (Gurukal), who has been performing aradhana and also managing the madapalli at the ancient Narumbu Nathar temple in Thiru Pudai Maruthur since 1995 at just Rs. 175 per month is already up and getting ready for the morning pooja. His father had performed service for 4 decades while his grandfather was there for 45 years. They rarely complained about the low income and simply performed their duty at this big temple of serving the Lord.

Till about four decades ago, the agraharam was home to 350 traditionalists with Vedic Chanting being an integral part of the temple. Today, the Gurukal remains the only Brahmin family in the village.

The Eastern entrance remains a Mottai Gopuram. 

Unique Idol
The image of Lord Narumbu Nathar is unique in that he is seen slightly tilted trying to hear the voice of his devotee with scars on his head, an indication of the legendary episode relating to the temple.

Tale of Lord’s tilted posture

Karur Siddhar, one of the 18 renowned Siddhars, reached this location after meeting Sage Agastya at Papanasam, at the foot of Pothigai Hills. When he reached the river bank, he was welcomed by flash floods in the Tamaraibarani. Seeing a temple of Lord Shiva and not knowing his name at this temple, he wondered how he could have darshan but was moved the fragrance of ‘Maruthai’ flowers. Seeking darshan, he called out for him 'Poovin Manathil Naduvil Nirkum Naathaney' ‘Narumbu Naatha Nalam Tharuvaayo.’ Moved by his devotion, the Lord moved a bit and is said to have looked out for the devotee who was reaching out to him. An invisible voice directed him to cross the river and come over. Much to his delight, the river gave way and allowed him to cross.

When he came here and asked as to why his face was tilted, the Lord said that he was moved by his devotion and wanted to see who this devotee was. The Siddhar prayed that the Lord remain so ever after to provide darshan to all devotees in the same tilted posture.

Cut on the Lord’s head

When Veera Marthanda Pandya reached here on a hunting expedition, he found a scared deer hiding at the foot of the tree. He directed the cutting of the tree with a sickle. To his shock, he found a Shiva Lingam coming out of the Marutha Tree with a cut in the head and a deer form on his chest. Apologising for his action, he built the temple that one finds in its current form and structure today. To this day, the Lord is seen with a cut in the head and with a deer mark on his chest. 

The Saivite Triangle

'Thalai Maruthur' Mallikaarjuna at Srisailam, Idai Maruthur Mahalingeswarar at Thiru Idai Maruthur  (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2017/12/thiruvidaimaruthur-mahalingam-temple.html)signifying the mid part and here Pudai Maruthur Narambunathar, signifying the ‘patham’ sthalam are three temples seen in an equidistant triangle.

Indra was inflicted with Brahmma Hathi Dosham for having ignored his original Guru and then later having killed his 'adopted' asura Guru. Indra and his wife had bath in the Surendra Theertham and undertook penance to be liberated from the dosham. He had darshan of Lord and Ambal in Kalyana Kolam.

This is a Triveni Sangamam with Tamarai Barani, Manimutharu and Kadana rivers meeting near here. There is an old world feeling about this historic location. One finds green paddy fields all along the road from Mukoodal which is 4kms away. The greenery continues off the Thirupudaimaruthur- Attalanallur road as well with banana plantations in large numbers. 

It was here that Maha Periyava received Deekshai.

The temple is abound with inscriptions.

Festivals

10 day Brahmotsavam in Thai with Theerthavari on Poosam

When here, also visit Gajendra Varadar Perumal temple in Attalanallur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/03/athalanallur-gajendra-varadaraja-perumal.html)

How to reach
An auto from Mukoodal (4kms) will cost Rs. 70. One can also reach the temple from Veeravanallur (auto Rs. 100). Contact numbers: 96295 42614 / 94427 14547

The temple is open from 6am to 11am and from 430pm to 8pm. Contact: S Kannan Gurukal @ 96262 90350.