One of the biggest temples in the Chozha Naadu
Praised by all Four Saint Poets
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.
முந்திச்செய்வினைஇம்மைக்கண்நலிய
மூர்க்கனாகிக்கழிந்தனகாலம்
சிந்தித்தேமனம்வைக்கவும்மாட்டேன்
சிறுச்சிறிதேஇரப்பார்க்கட்கொண்றீயேன்
அந்திவெண்பிறைசூடும்எம்மானே
ஆரூர்மேவியஅமரர்கள்தலைவா
எந்தைநீஎனக்குய்வகைஅருளாய்
இடைமருதுறைஎந்தைபிரானே - 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.
ஓடேகலன் உண்பதும்ஊரிடு பிச்சை
காடேயிடமாவதுகல்லால்நிழற்கீழ்
வாடாமுலைமங்கையுந்தானும்மகிழ்ந்து
ஈடாவுறைகின்றஇடைமருதீதோ
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