63. SRI MARAGATHACHALAR TEMPLE THIRUVEENGOIMALAI (THIRUVINGANATHAMALAI)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	117th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	63rd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

Thiruengoimalai Arulmigu Maragathaleswaraswami Temple lies 40 km from Tiruchirappalli and 5 kms from Musiri, Taluk headquarters in Tiruchirappalli District. Thiruengoimalai lies between Musiri and Thottiam.The hillock is otherwise called Maragathamalai /Thenkailayam /Sivasakthimalai /Malaikovil / Erattimalai. Name of the Goddess is Maragathambigai / Maragathavalli. God is also named as Aragathasalanathar/ Malaikozhnthar / Achutheeswarar / Birameswarar / Indreekarar / Threethar.

The river cauvery passes nearby the hillock.The river 'Surpanathi' passes adjoining the hillock. The river is otherwise called Kondayurumarai or Kondamarai. The name is said to be a corruption of Thiru-i-ongaimalai ('the' holy high bees 'mountains')and to have been so called because the sage Agastya , finding the gates of the Siva temple closed one evening, turned himself into a bee and so obtained entrance to perform his worship. The lingam of the temple is said to be transparent and also to throw a green shadow when camphor is burned. It is therefore called the 'emerald' (marakata) lingam.The god is connected with the deities of kadambarkovil and Ratnagiri. At all three temples special poojas are performed in Kartigai and the Taipusam day. Devaram songs will be sung in temple. At the base of the temple lies Bogar Sidhatemple. 500 vertical steps leads to the temple at the top of the hillock. Poet Nakkeerar has sung a booklet named Engoi-Elupathu ( 70 Engoi songs).

The name of the place is said to be derived from Thiru-i-ongaimalai (‘i’ meaning bee in Tamil) and to have been so called because the sage Agasthiar, finding the gates of the temple closed one evening, took the form of a bee and entered the temple to perform his worship.

Sage Agasthiar:

There are three important sacred shiva temples in this region glorified by the Thevara hymns and Agathiar used to worship all the three in a single day. Agasthiar was not satisfied even after worshipping so many temples in south and finally got satisfaction after worshipping these three temples. He worshipped Kadamba nadhar at Kadambar koil in the morning, Rathnagreeswarar temple at Ayyarmalai (Thiruvatpokki) in the noon, and the Thiruvengi nadhar at Thiru-engoi-malai in the evening. It is considered that worshiping all of them in a single day will get us salvation.

Sivasakthi Malai:

Ambal worshipped Lord Shiva here and so the hill is also called Sivasakthi Malai.

Lord Shiva gave Gold to Sundarar here:

When Sundarar went to see the Lord, he hid himself in tamarind and when Sambandhar asked for gold, he gave the tamarind from the tree which became gold.

Musukuntha Chakravarthy worshiped Lord Shiva here:

Legendary Chola Emperor Musukuntha Chakravarthy worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Bogar meditated here:

Bogar meditated and attained siddhi of making “Nava Pashanam” in this hill temple, hence there is a Bogar Shrine at the foot hill.

Maragatha Lingam:

The lingam of the temple is said to be transparent and also to throw a green shadow when camphor is burned. It is therefore called the ’emerald’ (Maragatha) lingam.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The temple is facing East. There are about 500 steep steps to reach the hill shrine.

·        Different postures of Lord Dhakshinamoorthy can be found on the moolavar vimanam.

·        This is the 52nd Sakthi Peedam of 64 Sakthi Peedams.

·        Musukuntha Chakravarthy worshiped Lord Shiva. Bogar meditated and attained siddhi of making “Nava Pashanam“ in this hill temple, hence there is a Bogar Shrine at the foot hill.

·        Sri Valli Deivanai sametha Arumuga peruman was gifted by Thiyagarajabagavathar, which is kept at the base temple due to safety reasons.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Maragathasaleswarar, Sri Maragatha Nathar
Ambal	Sri Maragathavalli
Theertham	-
Sthala Vriksham	Tamarind Tree

BELIEF:

The regular Pooja is performed in the evening.

The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity for three days during the Masi Shivrathri festival. The Linga changes colour during this time. Only a few Shiva temples are on hills and one such is in Eengoimalai in Tiruchi district.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Thai	Jan-Feb	Thai Poosam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri and Masi Magam
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Brahmmotsavam

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is located near Kulittalai. Tiruveengoimalai can be reached from Kulittalai by crossing the Kaveri river and reaching Musiri town. Tiruveengoimalai is near Musiri. One can also travel from Trichy to Musiri and from there can go to Tiruveengoimalai.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Maragathachalar Temple,
Tiru Eengoimalai,
Via Manamedu,
Thottiyam,
Tiruchirapalli,
Tamil Nadu – 621209.

LOCATION: