the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

As per Sekkizhar’s Periya Puranam, after worship Lord Shiva of Thirumudhukundram Sundarar requested Lord Shiva to give him material / Gold ( as per the experts materials required for annadhanam). So Lord Shiva gave him 12000 gold and Sundarar was happy. Sundarar was little afraid of taking himself to Thiruvarur, requested Lord Shiva to give him in front of the Thiruvarur people so that they will be afraid and surprise. Lord Shiva told him to drop all the gold which he gave it to him in the Manimuktha river and take the Gold at Thiruvarur Temple tank. As per the sthalapurana, during renovation of the temple, Vibasithu Rishi used to give Vanni leaves to the workers which will turned to the money for the quantity and quality of the work, they had done. In one of the legend, the 16th Century Guru Namasivaya, on his way to Chidambaram, stayed here and was feeling hungry. So he sung hymns in which he mentioned Ambal a Kilavai. So Ambal in the form of Kilavi – old woman and replied, that an old woman cannot bring food. Again he sung another hymns praising Ambal Periyanayaki as a young woman. Ambal in the form of young woman, offered food. Hence Ambal is called as Balambigai.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 9th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. This place Virudhachalam was called as Thirumudhukundram before 6th Century and now called in Sanskrit as Virudhachalam. This place is also called as Virutha kashi. The temple is on the banks of Manimuktha River. The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Reliefs of 72 Bharatanatyam dance karanas/styles are available in the 16 pillar mandapam, in front of east side Rajagopuram. The temple is in a huge complex consisting of 5 Rajagopurams and 5 Prakaras. Moolavar is of swayambhu. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. The Kailasa parakaram is after the entrance and a platform is called deepa aradhana mandapa. Next is the Rishaba mandapa. On the south side is the Vibasithu Munivar mandapam ( during procession Utsava murtis will be brought here and it is believed that Vibasithu muni worships the procession deities. ). On the east side of the mandapa is the Agni Theertham and discourse mandapa. Sthala Vinayagar is little below the ground level and steps are provided to reach the sannadhi. Nandhavanam is around the Chakra Theertham created by Maha Vishnu. On the North east corner there are 28 Shiva Linga agama Shrines, which are believed to be installed by Lord Muruga and worshiped. Kubera theertham, Yagasala, 100 pillar mandapam with the wheels and pulled by horses are in the Kailasa prakara. In the Vanniadi prakaram Vanni tree, ( the sthala vruksha is believed to be more than 3000 years old ) Vinayagar, Vibasithu munivar, Ureesa Munivar, Vitharkana chetti and Kuberas sister are under the Vanni tree. In prakaram Pancha Lingams, Vallaba Ganapathy, Meenakshi Chokkalingam, Vishwanatha Lingam, Arumugar, Sahasra Lingam, Ekambra Lingam, Jambu Lingam, and Annamalaiyar. On the way to Periyanayaki Amman sannadhi, sannadhi for Navagrahas, Dhandapani. The temple is believed to be on the hill, of very old ( Pazhaya malai ). It is believed that departed human soul will be soothed by Lord Shiva and Ambal with the Shivaya nama mandra.

Apart from regular Poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham days, Mahashivaratri, 10 days Brahmotsavam in the month Masi ( Feb – March) with 9th day car / temple chariot procession, Vaikasi vasantha utsavam ( May – June ), Aani Thirumanjanam ( June- July ), Arudra Darshan ( December- January ), Skanda Sashti, Abhishek on Pournami ( Full moon ) and Amavasai ( New moon ) days.