BHAKTHI ULA- KUMBAKONAM TEMPLE VISIT; thiruvidaimaruthur

  whenever i visited my uncles house at kumbakonam i will never miss to go to thiruvidaimaruthur shiva temple . one day is not sufficient to go around the temple as its very big and lot of sannidhis are there for seeing. there is also a very interesting story of king varaguna pandian is connected with this temple. 
  
as the story goes he was trembling in fear as he had brahmahathi dosha . it got relived only in this temple as he enters the temple the brahmahathi could not follow him at one stage as it waited near the the entrance itself to catch hold of the king as he come out.  but he king entered trembling and fell in the feet of mahalinga and tears were rolling.  by then a divine voice heard and told him not to get afraid of that brahmahathi and asked him to go by the another gopuram so that brahmahathi wont follow.  as said by god he rode horse very fast through another gopuram and he didnt even turn back to see and he turned back to see whether brahmahathi is not following only when he came some kms away and that place is now callled as thirubuvanam. thirubi parththal thirubuvanam. its meaning in tamil is as he turned in that place its called so so lets see that temples history now come with me. 

                                  SIDE PRAHARAM

                                  AS WE ENTER FROM ROAD

  

  Mahalingeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the town of Thiruvidaimarudur in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped in the form of a lingam in this temple. The temple is considered to be one of the six most sacred places dedicated to Shiva.

It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints), Appar, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar^[1] have glorified the temple with their songs. The lingam of the temple acts as the focal point for the seven consorts of Shiva.^[2] The temple was built during the Chola regime and widely expanded during the Nayak period in the late 16th century.

How To Reach:
Thiruvidaimarudur is located around 8 k.m north of Kumbakonam city on the road to Mayiladuthurai. All the buses pass via this route with a stop closer to the temple at Thiruvidaimarudur. The distance from Mayiladuthurai (Mayuram) is around 32 km. Autos / Taxies from Kumbakonam are available.

There is a small Railway station at Thiruvidaimarudur. Only the passenger trains stop there. The nearest convenient railway station is located at Kumbakonam with connectivity to Chennai (via Trichy), Thirunelveli (via Dindugal, Madurai), Coimbatore (Satapthi), Mysore(Via Erode – Salem – Bangalore).

The Ambal Shrine is one of the Sakthi Peetams and is on the right side of the Swami shrine, that is on southern side as a KALYANA KOLAM – a rare one. Chakara Maha Meru is installed here.
Ambal
The consort of Shiva is worshipped as Perumulai Naayaki or Brihad Sundara Kuchambal. The Ammbal Shrine is one of the Sakthi Bheetas. Chakkara Maha Meru is installed here.  Within the Ambal shrine complex, there is a separate shrine for Mookambika in the posture of doing penance built in the North Indian style. She is mentioned as Pidari Parameeswari in inscripitions. The main Mookambika temple is in Karnataka on the banks of the river Chowparnika and the other is, this one on the banks of the river Cauvery. Though the structure has been built in later days the goddess must have been there in olden times.

                                presiding dieties

                                                                     

                                                                     

 The temple has three famous praharams:
(i) Aswamedha pradhakshina praharam – Going around this will give the effect of doing Ashwamedha yaga. This should be at least half a KM and is quite divine and popular here like Thiruvannamalai girivalam. Those in ill health believed to have been caused by evil spirits, are said to find relief through prayers offered in this shrine and through circumambulation of this outermost prakaram

(ii) Kodumudi praharam – Going around this will give the effect of going to Kailash.
(iii) Pranava praharam – Going around this will give Moksha.

Sri Sridhara Iyyaval of Thiruvisainallur, a great scholar of sanscrit of 17th century, got into jeeva samadhi in the form of Jyothi swaroopa at the sanctum of this temple.

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temple corridor with beautiful pillars in opposite side of nandi

The name "Kumbakonam", roughly translated in English as the "Jug's Corner",^[3] is believed to be an allusion to the mythical pot (kumbha) of the Hindu god Brahma that contained the seed of all living beings on earth. The kumbha is believed to have been displaced by a pralaya (dissolution of the universe) and ultimately came to rest at the spot where the town of Kumbakonam now stands.^[4][5] The drops of nectar is believed to have falled in five shrines around Kumbakonam, namely Mahalingeswarar temple at Tiruvidaimarudur, Tirudharasuram, Naganathar Temple at Tirunageswaram, Tiruvorgam and Tirupadalavanam.^[6]
The legend of a Chola prince who killed a Brahmin and was in turn, pursued by his spirit (brahmahatthi), is associated with the temple. The Chola prince, it is believed, entered the Mahalingeswarar Temple and prayed to his favourite God, Shiva for relief from the clutches of the spirit of the dead Brahmin or brahmahatthi. The Chola prince made his way out through another entrance thereby saving himself.^[7] It continues till day where people take the second entrance to exit the premises after worship. There is a sculpture of Chola brahmahatthi on the eastern premises in one of the inner gopurams (tower gate

                                                   

Marudur is derived from the holy tree, namely Maruda maram.^[2] The temple at Thiruvidaimarudur is over 2,000 years old and is associated with the Pandya king Varaguna Pandian. The temple contains inscriptions of the Hoysala kings and some Vijayanagara grants, and many records of the later Nayaks and Marathas.^[8] This temple is classified as Madhya Arjunam, called Idai Maruthu meaning centre Marudur.^[9] The Mallikarjuna swamy temple are Srisailam is called Thalai Maruthu (meaning top Marudur) and Tirupudaimaruthur temple at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district is called Kadai Maruthu (meaning lower Marudur).

Mahalingeswarar here is the main deity of the Parivara sthalams.  Parivara Sthalams are a group of temples which together form a much larger temple.  The Presiding deity of such a huge temple is Mahalingeswarar at Thiruvidamarudhur.  The Group of temples which form this large temple is as follows:

1. Mahalingeswarar at Thiruvidaimarudhur
2. Vinayakar at Thiruvalanchuzhi
3. Murugan at Swamimalai
4. Ambal at Thirukkadaiyur
5. Dakshinamurthy at Alangudi
6. Navagraha Sannidhi at Suryanar Koil
7. Saneeswaran at Thirunallar
8. Durgai at Patteeswaram
9. Chandikeswarar at Sengalur
10. Bhairavar at Sirkali
11. Natarajar at Chidambaram
12. Somaskandar at Tiruvarur
13. Nandikeswarar at Tiruvavaduturai

There are four other main Lingams viz Viswanathar, Rishipureeswarar, Aatmanathar and Chokkanathar around the Presiding Deity.  Since there are five Lingams, this place is a Panchalinga sthalam. Apart from these five Lingams there are also Lingams dedicated to each of the 27 nakshatrams (Birth Stars).  All these 27 birth stars installed a Lingam each and worshipped Lord Shiva here.  This is the temple for performing parihara pooja (remedial pooja) for the malefic effects of the Birth stars.

               VARAGUNA PANDIAN

                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                    BRAHMA HATHI                      

This temple is closely connected to the life of a Pandya King by name Varaguna Pandyan.  Once when Varaguna Pandyan was returning from a hunting expedition, his horse accidentally trampled upon and killed a Brahmin.  Since he was the cause of the death of a Brahmin he was afflicted with Brahmahatti Dosham (Sin due to murder of Brahmin).  As a result, he was constantly haunted by the Brahmin’s ghost. The King prayed to Somasundarar at Madurai seeking relief from this sin.  Lord Somasundarar appeared in the King’s dream and directed him to pray Him at Thiruvidaimarudhur for relief.  Thiruvidaimarudhur was under Chola rule and they were bitter enemies of the Pandyas.  There was a war between the two in which the Cholas were defeated.  The King then visited the temple at Thiruvidaimarudhur as per the Divine guidance and prayed to Lord Mahalingeswarar.  He entered the temple through the Eastern entrance and the Brahmahatti and the ghost could not enter the temple and waited outside the temple for the King to return.  As advised by Mahalingaswamy, the King left by the Western Gopuram (Tower) and hence got rid of the Brahmatti dosham and the Brahmin’s ghost.  Even today, devotees use different gopurams to enter and exit the temple premises.

                                                                  

                                                            

Birth of Nandi (According to Linga Puranam)

There was a Sage named Shilada who underwent severe penance to have a boon - A child with immortality. Lord Indra pleased of the austerities of Shilada appeared in front of him to offer a boon. After hearing the request of Shilada and his desire to have an immortal child, Lord Indra suggested him to pray to Lord Shiva who could provide the boon, nobody else could provide such a boon.Sage Shilada continued his penance for thousand years. He was totally immovable for many years, so the termites settled on his body and slowly started to build up their nest. Finally, his whole body was covered up by them.  The insects started to eat his flesh and imbibed his blood.  At last, only bones remained.  Lord Shiva appeared in front of him and provided the boon for an immortal child. Lord Shiva proclaimed that He himself will be born as his child.  Moreover, Lord Shiva provided Sage Shilada his old form with a single touch. Sage Shilada performed Yagna and a child appeared from the sacrificial fire.  The child had three eyes and four arms and he was holding a Trident and a Mace in both hands.  His body was claded in armour made out of diamonds.  The celestial dancers and singers performed on this auspicious occasion and the deities showered flowers on the child.  The boy was named ’Nandi’ - who brings joy. Shilada brought the child home, immediately the boy lost his divine appearance to an ordinary child.  The child completely forgot all about his birth.  Sage Shilada was worried about the sudden change.  He devoted his time for the bringing up the child, his education etc. By the age of seven the boy was well versed in Veda and all sacred texts. One day the two deities - Mitra and Varuna visited Sage Shilada.  At the first sight of the boy, they commented: Though the boy had all auspicious signs, he would have a very short life.  The boy would not live after the age of eight. Sage Shilada was mortified at this remark.  Nandi could not bear his father's sorrow, he began to pray to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him.  Lord Shiva adorned the boy with a necklace around his neck which he was wearing, and made him immortal.  Lord Shiva blessed the child and declared that he would be worshiped along with Him. Immediately the boy got all the divine powers, three eyes and ten hands.  Soon He was adopted as the child of Goddess Parva

According to some puranas, Nandi was born to sage Shilada who got him by the grace of Shiva.
It was Nandi who cursed Ravana (the demon King of Lanka) that his kingdom would be burnt by a monkey (Vanara). And later Hanuman burnt Lanka when he went in search of Sita, who was kept prisoner by Ravana in Ashok Vatika. In one puranic story, it is stated that once Siva and Parvathi were playing a game of dice. For any game there has to be an umpire, who has to declare who is the winner. Siva and Parvathi agreed to have Nandi (the divine bull) as the umpire. Nandi is a favorite of Siva, as he is Siva's vehicle. Although Siva lost the game, Nandi declared him the winner. It is stated that Parvathi was indignant over Nandi's partiality for Siva and cursed him that he should die from an incurable disease. Thereupon Nandi fell at the feet of Parvathi and pleaded for forgiveness. "Mother forgive me. Should I not show at least this amount of gratitude to one who is my master? Is it not humiliating for me to declare that my master has lost the game? To uphold his honor I no doubt uttered a lie. But am I to be punished with such severity for so small an offence?" Nandi prayed for forgiveness in this manner. Parvathi forgave Nandi and taught him the means to atone for his lapse. She told him. "The Chaturdasi day in the month of Bhadrapada is the day when my son's birthday is celebrated. On that day you have to offer to my son what pleases you most (green grass)". This means that one atones for one's sins when one offers to the Lord what is most pleasing and enjoyable to him. For Nandi the most enjoyable and relishing food is green grass. As directed by Parvathi Nandi worshipped Ganapathi by offering green grass. Nandi was then relieved of his dreaded disease. His health improved and by the grace of Parvathi he was redeemed.

When the positive forces, the devas, and the negative forces, the asuras, joined together on a rare occasion to churn the ocean with a mountain to obtain the nectar of immortality they utilized Vasuki, the serpent, as the rope. The devas pulled from one end and the asuras from the other. Lots of precious herbs and gems were produced during the Churning and one of them was a poison (halāhala) which became human karma. This "poison" was so dangerous that none of the devas or asuras wanted to go near it. It was extremely sticky and coming into contact with this poison, i.e., human karma, would drag the divinity down to the realms of human suffering and ego. As everyone else ran away, Lord Siva, followed by Nandi, came forward to help as he was the only one who could counteract this deadly poison. Siva took the poison into his hand and drank it, the descent of the poison was in turn stopped at His throat, by His divine consort. Siva is therefore also known as Nīlakaṇṭha (the blue-throated one) and Viṣakaṇṭha (the poison-throated one). Nandi saw some of the poison spill out of Siva's mouth and immediately drank if off the ground. The devas and asuras watching were shocked and wondered aloud what would happen to Nandi. Lord Siva calmed their fears saying, "Nandi has surrendered into me so completely that he has all my powers and my protection".

                                                                       

Largest Nandis in India:

1. Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
2. Brahadishwara Temple, Tamil Nadu
3. Chamundi Hills, Mysore, Karnataka
4. Bull Temple, Bangalore, Karnataka
5. Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
6. Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka
7. Shanthaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka
8. Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala
9. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
10. Nandi Temple, Western Group of Temples, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
11. Kedareshvara Temple at Balligavi (Karnataka)

                                              

                                   very big white nandi as it is told that its growing even today 

                                                        pavai vilakku donated by ammuni ammal

     Pavai Vilakku

Ammuni Ammal, lover of Maratya king Pratap singh lit laksha deepam (1,00,000 lamps) and donated a Pavai Vilakku, a lamp in the shape of herself. The lamp measures 120 cm (height), 411 ¾ cher (Weight) in brass, designed and made by Kannara Aryaputra Patther. Her story is inscribed at the base of the lamp.  

   

   It is one of the biggest Thers (Temple Car) of Tamilnadu. It measures 89 feet from top (tip of the Kalasams) to bottom (ground level).The octagonal lower part of the, measuring 14½ feet (length) and 14½ feet was carved beautifully. The axles (cuboids) on the outer surface of the wheels measure 29 feet (length), 1¾ feet (width) and 1¾ feet (height). The rampant wooden horses which fastened in front of the Ther measure 25½ (length) and 8 feet (circumference of the body). The Kodimaram (flag post) on the Ther measures 24 feet (height). The inner large rope (Ul vadam) tied around the Ther measures 800 feet. The outer cable (large rope- Vadam) used to pull the Ther by 5000 people (man power) measures 1000 feet. The pedestal on the Ther measures 14½ x 14½. The wooden sculptures such as Panchamurtis, Kayilayakkatchi, Narasimhamurti, Bairava, Chandra, the worship of Mahalingeswara (seated beneath the Maruda tree) by Vinayaka and Ambikai, His Holiness Gurumaha sannidhanam and other sculptures are worth mentioning here. The Ther was donated to the temple by Amarsingh’s son Pratap singh(Simha) in 1800 AD. He had presented a silver Ratha (chariot) also. There is a small wooden Ther for procession during the Tamil month Adi.

Temple Architecture:
It is one of the biggest Thers (Temple Car) of Tamilnadu. It measures 89 feet from top (tip of the Kalasams) to bottom (ground level).The octagonal lower part of the, measuring 14½ feet (length) and 14½ feet was carved beautifully. The axles (cuboids) on the outer surface of the wheels measure 29 feet (length), 1¾ feet (width) and 1¾ feet (height). The rampant wooden horses which fastened in front of the Ther measure 25½ (length) and 8 feet (circumference of the body). The Kodimaram (flag post) on the Ther measures 24 feet (height). The inner large rope (Ul vadam) tied around the Ther measures 800 feet. The outer cable (large rope- Vadam) used to pull the Ther by 5000 people (man power) measures 1000 feet. The pedestal on the Ther measures 14½ x 14½. The wooden sculptures such as Panchamurtis, Kayilayakkatchi, Narasimhamurti, Bairava, Chandra, the worship of Mahalingeswara (seated beneath the Maruda tree) by Vinayaka and Ambikai, His Holiness Gurumaha sannidhanam and other sculptures are worth mentioning here. The Ther was donated to the temple by Amarsingh’s son Pratap singh(Simha) in 1800 AD. He had presented a silver Ratha (chariot) also. There is a small wooden Ther for procession during the Tamil month Adi.

Ammuni Ammal (lover of Pratap singh), donated a Pavai Vilakku (a lamp in the shape of Ammuni Ammal) and lit one lakh (1,00,000) lamps. The lamp measures 120 cm (height), 411 ¾ cher (Weight) in brass, designed and made by Kannara Aryaputra Patther.

    Appar has glorified the temple in five, Cuntarar in one and Campantar in six verses.^[9] Appar refers the temple as Idaimaruthur.

"பாச மொன்றில ராய்ப்பல பக்தர்கள்

வாச நாண்மலர் கொண்டடி வைகலும்

ஈச நென்பெறு மான்இடை மருதினிற்

பூச நாம்புகு தும்புன லாடவே"^[18]

In another verse, he hails the deity here as

மங்கை காணக் கொடார்மண மாலையைக்

கங்கை காணக் கொடார்முடிக் கண்ணியை

நங்கை மீர் இடைக் மருதரிந் நங்கைக்கே

எங்கு வாங்கிக் கொடுத்தார் இதழியே^[18]

translating to 

"Praise to you father in Idaimaruthur.

Praise to you who carried Ganges river in your plait."^[19]

Appar's verses point out the saiva agamas practised during the period.

"Because of our loneliness it is difficult for us to keep company of with dark ghosts

So my tongue will go on uttering the saiva agamas in the presence of the companion (mind)

to the accompaniment of the unrivalled music of Tiruvidaimaruthur"^[20]

Manickavasagar praises the deith here as under

"You are the Esan who had blessed Brahman, Vishnu and Indra when they bowed.

You descended on earth and disclosed your perfect ways.

You, in your grace, gave supreme virtues to that good dame of Idaimaruthur that is full of mansions set with good and brightful gems

Our Lords are those who know that grace

   There are as many as 35 Theerthams associated with this temple.

• There are 3 places where a sacred well is in the form of a lion (Singa kinaru). Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Vrinchipuram and this place. It is called KrishnaKupam
•       Karunyamitra theertham on the east side of the temple, where Chittirai vizha Festival is important is the best known theertham. 
•                                      

Bana theertham on the north east  of Banapuram established by Rama where a bath in Vaikasi Pournami is very holy

Parachara theeertham (pidari kulam is its present name) at the junction of north and east streets where a bath in Marghazi is sacred

Soma theertham (now called Ayyanar Theertham) to the east of Karunyamitra theertham where a bath in Somesvara removes all sins

Rudra Theertham to the south of the sanctum

Kalyana theertham is the river Kaveri where the Idiols are bathed during “Thai Poosam”

Padma theertham to the south east of Somatheertham

Indhra theertham to the south of the temple

Pandava Theertham (Not traceable), Agni theertham, Kanaka theertham and Ganga Kupam are some of the several holy theerthas that adorn this town.

                                   

contact details

Sri Mahalinga Swamy Temple
Thirumanjana Street
Thiruvidaimarudur - 612 104.
Telephone 0435-2460660.