Saturday, January 9, 2016

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Greatness of Temple

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Greatness of Temple
Mookambigai:   The Thiruvidaimarudur Mookambigai of this place is as famous and great like the Karnataka Kollur Mookambigai.  In India, only in Kollur and Thiruvidaimarudur, Mookambigai shrines are seen; it is not found anywhere else. Only here a separate sanctum could be seen.  In this temple, the Mookambigai sanctum is on the southern side of Ambal’s sanctum.  The inner sanctum of this temple is constructed like the North Indian temple structure.  In this sanctum, the most powerful Maha Meru Srichakra is installed.
Moola Linga Sthalam:   According to the rules of temple structure, Lord Mahalinga Swamy remains as the central Prime Deity in this temple, amidst the temples and surrounded by deities.  They are: Tiruvalanchuzhi-Vinayakar, Swamimalai-Murugan, Sejnalur-Chandeswarar, Sooriyanarkoil-Sooriyan and other nine planets, Chidambaram-Natarajar, Sirkaali-Bhairavar, and Thiruvavaduthurai-Tirunandhi.  This is a very significant feature.
Aswamedha Pradakshanam:   Reaching the temple and circling the inner way of the first wall, to worship the Lord Marudapperumaan is known as ‘Aswamedha Pradakshanam’. Those who do this will receive all benefits.  Before beginning this sacred exercise, one should worship Lord Muruga. One has to limit his prayer duration as one, half and quarter mandalams.  The going around also must be stipulated as one hundred and eight, twenty-four, twelve and seven circles.  It is believed that the devotees who circle around on the Thiru karthigai Deepam day and during the Thai month festival will receive immense benefits.  Next to this is the ‘Kodumudi prakaram’.  To go around this prakaram is equal to going round the Mount Kailas and receive benediction. 
Pattinathar and Badragiriyaar:   The life-history of Pattinathar and this Thiruvidaimarudur temple has close connection.  Pattinathar has sung many songs on the Lord Maruthavaanar of this temple.  His disciple is Badragiriyaar, who was a King once upon a time, renounced everything and became the disciple of Pattinathar.  Both the guru and the disciple went on pilgrimage to all the Siva temples, came and stayed at Thiruvidaimarudur. Pattinathar never kept even a begging bowl.  On the other hand, the disciple had a begging bowl and also a dog. Once the Lord disguised as a Siva-devotee came and asked alms to Pattinathar who told him: “ I am a beggar.  I do not have anything to give. There’s a family man near the west tower of this temple.”  The Lord went to that place and begged Badragiriyaar, who realized and felt sad that the begging bowl and the dog had made him a family man.  Thinking so, he threw the bowl on the dog.  The begging bowl broke and the dog also died.  The Lord then appeared before him and granted Moksha to Badragiriyaar and also to the dog.  That place could be seen even today.  It is called the ‘Naayatiyaar Koil’ in the East Maada Street.   One can see this site in this sacred place.
The Sacred Place where Lord Mahalinga worshipped Himself:  This holy place is situated between Mallikaarjunam Sri Sailam in the North and Tirupudaimaruthur (Putaarjunam) of the Tirunelveli District in the South, and is called ‘Idaimaruthur’ (Madhyarjunam).  The Sanskrit word, ‘Arjunam’ means ‘Marudha tree’.  The sacred tree in all these three places is the Marudha tree.  Lords Saturn and Moon have worshipped here.  To the sage Kashyapa, the Lord of Idaimaruthur, Lord Marudavaanar has appeared as child Krishna.  There are about 32 Theerthams (holy water) like Kaarunayaamirtha Theertham and Kavirippoosa Theertham.  For the 27 stars, there are 27 lingams.
On the four sides are temples for Viswanaathar, Aathmanaathar, Rishipureeswarar and Chockanaathar and so this place is called ‘Panchalingasthalam’.  Varaguna Pandiyan came to this sacred place and got relieved of his ‘brahmahatthi dosha’. Since Pattinathar, Badragiriyaar, Varaguna Pandiyan, Arunagirinathar and Karuvoor Thevar have worshipped the Lord here, this place has become quite well-known. Here Badragiriyaar and his disciple attained mukti.

Pattinathar has sung many songs celebrating this place.  The four Nayanmaar, Appar, Tirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar have composed ‘Thevaram’ songs consecrating this temple.  Arunagirinathar have celebrated this place in his ‘Thirupugazh’. Those with ‘Anusha’ star can be relieved of their afflictions in this place.