Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 172th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 55th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
The two sons of Sage
Dhurvasa, Ambasuran and Amban. Both these brothers were ardent Shiva devotees
and were blessed with various powers by Lord Shiva. However, they started
misusing their powers by terrorizing the common people. They were vanquished by
Goddess Kaali here upon Lord Shiva’s instructions. Goddess Kaali took the form
of a beautiful girl and was accompanied by Lord Mahavishnu who took the guise
of an old man. On seeing the girl, both these brothers started fighting with
each other on who would get to marry her. In their fight, the elder brother
Ambasuran was killed and Goddess Kaali vanquished the younger one. The place
where the younger brother Amban was killed is known as “Ambakarathur”. This is
very near to Ambal.
To seek relief from the
“Brahmahathi dosha” (the sin accrued by killing a person), Goddess Kaali is
believed to have installed a small lingam that she made with her own hands and
worshiped it in this place. Hence this place gets the name Ambar Maakaalam.
This ancient temple is
situated on the northern banks of the river Arasalaru. As per the stone
inscriptions available in this temple, the temple was first built in the
12th Century AD by King Kulothunga Cholan-I and later extended by King
Vikrama Cholan. The historical names of this place are Marapuri and Indirapuri.
Sage
Madanga Maharishi:
Sage Madanga Maharishi
worshiped the lord here seeking child boon. He was blessed with a girl child
and she was named Rajamadangi. When the girl attained the marriageable age, it
is believed that Lord Shiva appeared before her and married her. When the lord
asked her if she had any wish, she replied that she wanted to be with him here
in the wedding form. She also requested the lord to grant the boon of wedding
to those who come here and pray. The lord granted her wish. Based on this
event, those facing delays in their marriage proposals can visit this place,
offer two garlands to Goddess Parvathy and then take back one for themselves.
It is believed that by doing so for five consecutive weeks, obstacles in
marriage proposals will be removed.
Sage
Maakaala Maharishi:
Another legend
associated with this place is that of Sage Maakaala Maharishi. It is believed
that he worshiped the lord here due to which this place gets the name Maakaalam
and the lord is praised as “Sri Maakaalanathar”.
It is believed that
there are three places where Sage Maakaala Maharishi installed a Shivalingam
and worshiped Lord Shiva. They are -Ambar Maakaalam, Irumbai Maakaalam near
Puducherry and Mahaakaal in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
Vimalan
of Kasi (Banaras):
As per the sthala
purana, it is believed that a brahmin by the name of Vimalan lived in Kasi. He
did not have a child. Despite visiting various temples and praying to Lord
Shiva, he was not blessed with a child. He started his pilgrimage to
southern part of India and visited various temples with the same goal. One day
Lord Shiva appeared before him in the guise of an old man and asked him where
he was going. Vimalan told him about his desire. The old man suggested him to
go to this temple (Koil Thirumalam) and worship Sri Makalanathar. He further
informed him that in this temple he can find Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan as
young children. Further Lord Vinayakar of this temple has a human head. The old
man told Vimalan to worship these lords as well. He also told him that he would
be blessed with a male child and that he should name him as Mahadevan. Vimalan
visited this temple, worshiped the lords and was blessed with a child.
Saint
Somasimara Nayanar:
This is the birth place
of Saint Somayaji Mara Nayanar (Somasi Mara Nayanar). Saint Somasimarar was
praised by Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar as “Ambaran Somasi Maranukkum adiyen” in
his “Thiruthondar Thogai”. He lived in this place with his wife Susheela and
was fond of offering food to devotees of Lord Shiva.
He wanted to conduct a
big “Soma yagna” here and wanted to invite Lord Thiyagaraja of Thiruvarur. He
knew that the only person who could bring the lord to the yagna was Saint
Sundarar. Incidentally, Saint Sundarar was on his pilgrimage and was staying in
this place itself. When Somasimarar went to visit Sundarar, he came to know
that Sundarar was suffering from cough and cold. He started sending
“Thoodhuvalai” (an herbal plant) every day to Sundarar. When Sundarar got cured
of his illness, he came to see Somasimarar to thank him. Somasimarar sought the
help of Sundarar to bring Lord Shiva to his proposed Yajna. Sundarar
agreed to take up the task and convinced Lord Shiva to participate in the
yagna.
When the news spread
that the lord himself would be attending the yajna, many people including Vedic
scholars and sages gathered at the place of the yajna. Lord Shiva is believed
to have appeared in the guise of a hunter (Sandalan in Tamil) with four dogs
following him and a dead calf on his shoulder. He was accompanied by Goddess
Parvathi in the guise of a woman with a pot on her head. Vinayakar and Murugan
came in the guise of young boys holding their mother’s hands. representing the
four Vedas
As an untouchable
person appeared there, all the brahmins assembled there were afraid that
something had gone wrong while conducting the Yajna. They started running away
from the scene.
But Somasimarar whole
heartedly welcomed the guests. Lord Vinayakar clandestinely indicated to Somasimarar
about the true identity of the lord. He also said that the four dogs following
the hunter represent the four vedas. Somasimarar and Sundarar worshiped the
hunter, continued the yagna and offered “Avirbaham” (Prasad of the yagna) to
the guests. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy left the guise of the hunters and
granted darshan to Somasimarar and Sundarar. The lord then blessed Somasimarar
by naming him as one of his Nayanmars.
There is a small shrine
for this Vinayakar and he is praised as “Sri Achantheertha Vinayakar” (the one
who cleared the doubts). Also, there is a small Mandapam (hall) where this
Yagna is believed to have been conducted. These two structures can be seen in
between Ambar Maakaalam and Ambar Perunthirukkovil.
Every year a yagna is
conducted here to commemorate this event. During this yagna, the noon time
pooja is not performed at the Thiagaraja Temple in Thiruvarur. This is because
the lord is believed to have come to this place instead.
Serpent
Vasuki:
It is believed that
Serpent Vasuki, one of the eight serpents (Ashta Nagams) visited this place and
worshiped the lord to seek relief from Brahmahathi Dosham. “Naga Kannigai”
(virgin serpent) is also believed to have worshiped the lord here. Another
reason this place gets the name Makalam is that “Kalam” means serpent in Tamil.
Sage
Vishwamitra:
Sage Vishwamitra was
performing rigorous penance, the Devas decided to disrupt his “thapas” by
instructing Manmathan to shoot an arrow at him. Angered by this, the sage
cursed Lord Indira (head of Devas). Indira is believed to have worshiped the
lord here to seek relief from this curse.
Samharaseelan:
Another story
associated with Lord Indira is that he visited this place after being defeated
by Samharaseelan. He prayed to Lord Shiva here and sought his help. Lord Shiva
took the form of Bairavar (Sattanathar) and destroyed Samharaseelan, thus
reinstating Indira’s position.
Soma
Yaga:
“Soma Yaga” festival is
an important event in this temple which is celebrated on the day
of Aslesha (Aayilyam) in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June). Lord Shiva
graces the devotees on this day wearing sandals, with four dogs around him, a
calf on his shoulders and a drum in his hand. Goddess Parvathy holds a pot on
her head. These idols are taken in a procession to the place of yagna and after
the yagna, “Avir Bagham” is offered to the lord. After this, the lord gives
dharisanam in his normal form along with Goddess Parvathy seated on his bull
mount.
People who worshipped here:
This place was
considered to be one of the “Naimisaranyam” (peaceful place to perform
penance). It is believed that Sages Vyasar, Dhurvasar and Saptarishies have
worshiped the lord here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This is the birth place of Saint
Somayaji Mara Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. His “Soma Yagna” is very
popular here.
·
This is east facing temple with 5-tiered
main tower (Rajagopuram).
·
This temple is counted as one of the
seventy Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan.
·
This is one of the Madakkoils built by
the King Kochengat Cholan. Madakkoils are temples that are built at an
elevation and have a few steps that need to be climbed to see the Lord. Also,
the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow and small so that no
elephant can enter into it.
·
There is a shrine for Goddess Mohini and
she is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is
“Theendathirumeni”. A stick is used to adorn her with clothes and garlands.
·
Idol of Lord Vinayakar can be seen here
with a human face. Idol of Balamurugan can also be seen. At the time of the
yagna, it is believed that Vinayakar came with a human head and it is further
believed that he stayed here in the same form.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Mahakalanathaswamy, Sri Kalakandeswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Bayakshiyambikai, Sri Patchanayaki, Sri Rajamathanki, Sri Iyanmadevi |
|
Theertham |
Amritavaavi
/ Makala Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Karungkali
tree |
BELIEF:
Devotees facing delays
in their wedding proposals offer two garlands of “Arali” flowers to the lord.
Then they are given one of these garlands back to wear. By doing this, it is
believed that hurdles in their marriage proposals will be removed.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Somayaji Mara Nayanar’s yagna festival
called “Soma Yagna” |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti and Annabishekam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Makara
Sankranthi |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Ambar Makalam (Koil
Thirumalam) is situated at a distance of about 6 kms from Peralam on the
Peralam to Karaikkal route. Peralam is on the Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur
route. It is about 18 kms from Mayiladuthurai and from Thiruvarur it is about
24 kms. From Karaikkal, Ambar Makalam is about 18 kms.
Nearest railway station
is Poonthottam which is about 3 kms away.
This temple is one
kilometer away from the Ambar (Ambal) Perunthirukkoil.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Mahakalanathaswamy Temple,
Koil Thirumalam,
Poonthottam Via,
Nannilam,
Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu- 609503.
LOCATION:
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