Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam, Madurai

Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam, Madurai
Edaganathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruvedagam Village in Madurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located on the banks of Vaigai River. The Vaigai River flows in the direction North to South here in Thiruvedagam. Presiding Deity is called as Edakanatheswarar. Mother is called as Elavarkuzhali / Sugandha Kundalambikai. The temple complex covers five acres and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams, each facing the Edaganathar and Elavarkuzhali shrine. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Edaganathar and his consort being the most prominent.







The original complex is believed to have been built by Pandyan Empire, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This temple is erected to commemorate the victory of Saivites over Jains and to emphasis that Shiva is the greatest God of all. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Muthu Pandal festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February – March) is the most prominent festival.







The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is closely linked with the history of Saivite Child Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and is praised in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 248th Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Vaigai and 4th Sthalam of Pandya Naadu. Thirupugazh, the work of Arunagirinathar, a 13th-century saint glorifies the temple.







Legends
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The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Worship Practices & Festivals
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Literary Mention
It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar SambandarThirupugazh, the work of Arunagirinathar, a 13th-century saint glorifies the temple. The temple is closely linked with the history of Saivite Child Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and is praised in his Thevaram hymns. Sambandar's patikam on a palm leaf (Edu) is said to have gone against the current of Vaigai and settled here, as opposed to the leaf floated by the once dominant Jains here, hence the name Thiruvedagam. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung the hymn starts with ‘Vazhka Anadhanar'. This is the 248th Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Vaigai and 4th Sthalam of Pandya Naadu.  
Prayers
As people perform remedial prayers and pujas in Tirumananjeri for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, devotees do it in this temple also. They offer garlands to Mother Elavarkuzhali and take to their homes. They worship the garland and perform pujas for 48 days to realize the wedding wish.  After marriage, couple come to the temple and offer prayers to Ambica. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for the renovation of the temple.
Contact
Edaganathar Temple,
Thiruvedagam – 624 234,
Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District,
Phone: +91 4543 259 311
Mobile: +91 99432 61487
Connectivity
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