4. SRI EDAGANATHESWARAR TEMPLE TIRUVEDAKAM

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	248th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Pandiya Naadu
Pandiya Naadu	4th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

This Shivastalam lies on the banks of the river Vaigai and is closely associated with Tirugnanasambandar. 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 Tiruvedakam. The Tiruppukazh has also mentioned this shrine.  This shrine  is regarded as the 4th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu.

Shiva here is believed to have been worshipped by Garuda, Adiseshan and Vishnu. 'Vaaduvenra Vinaayakar' here is said to have stopped the movement of the palm leaf  in the guise of a fish, in response to Sambandar's patikam. .Images related to Sambandars episode are seen carved on the stone steps leading to the Vaikai river.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The present structure with spacious corridors and imposing gopurams occupies an area of about 5 acres.

·        Inscriptions from the period of Jatavarman Kulasekhara Pandyan (12th cent AD), and Krishna Deva Raya are seen in this temple, speaking of their endowments to this shrine.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Edakanatheswarar
Ambal	Sri Elavaarkuzhali, Sri Sugandha Kundalambika
Theertham	Bhrama Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

As people perform remedial prayers and pujas in thirumananjeri for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, devotees do it in this temple also. They offer garlands to goddess 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.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Edu Ethireriya Utsavam, Vaikasi Visakam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Arudra Darisanam
Thai	Jan-Feb	Thai Poosam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is located on the Madurai - Sholavandan bus route. Nearest railway station is Sholavandan. Town bus services from Madurai Periyar bus stand are available to Tiruvedagam. Buses to Sholavandan go via Tiruvedagam and the temple is very near the Tiruvedagam bus stop.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Edaganatheswarar Temple,
Tiruvedagam,
Vadipatti,
Madurai,
Tamil Nadu – 625234.

LOCATION: