Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 25th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 25th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
Thiruvanmiyur
is located in Chennai and the temple is very close to the shores of the Bay of
Bengal. This ancient temple is believed to be more than 1300 years old.
Thiruvanmiyur derives its names from Sage Valmiki - Thiru-Valmiki-Oor.
("Thiru" is a respectful prefix and "Oor" is a place in
Tamil). Since Sage Valmiki is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, the
lord here is also praised as “Vanmeeki Nathar”. This place is known as “Thiruvanmiyur”.
Sage Agasthiyar worshipped the lord
here:
Sage
Agasthiyar worshipped the lord here and was taught the science of “Oushadha
Muligai” (medicinal herbs) by the lord. Hence the lord here is also known as
“Sri Oushadeeswarar” and “Sri Marundeeswarar” (“Marundu” means medicine and
“Eswarar” means god in Tamil). Sage Agasthiyar was blessed with Lord Shiva’s
wedding darshan under the Vanni tree, the sacred tree of this temple.
Sage Valmiki:
Sage
Valmiki was advised by Sage Narada to go to this temple and worship the lord to
seek salvation. Lord Shiva is believed to have given darshan to sage Valmiki
under this temple’s Vanni tree. The lord is also believed to have performed his
dance on a full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni when the sage attained
salvation.
Divine cow Kamadhenu worshipped the
lingam here:
The
divine cow Kamadhenu worshipped the lingam here to seek relief from a curse by
Sage Vashistar. The hoof marks of Kamadhenu can be seen on the lingam. As
Kamadenu worshipped and offered her milk for the lord here, the lingam appears
white in colour. Hence, the lord here is also known as “Palvanna Nathar”
(“Palvannam” means “white as milk” in Tamil).
Saint Appayya Dhikshithar:
Saint
Appayya Dhikshithar, well-known Sanskrit scholars have worshiped the lord here.
It is believed that once, during heavy floods, the saint could not see the
lord’s face for worship. He prayed to the lord asking him to turn around. Lord
Shiva obliged and turned west to grace his darshan whereas the other shrines
face the east direction.
People who worshipped here:
Vedas
and Devas have worshipped the lord here. Lord here is known as “Sri
Vedapureeswarar”. Lord Brahma, Mahavishnu, Ram, Suryan, Chandran, Chola King
Rajendran and Sage Birunki have worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
Lord Shiva in
this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) and the lingam is white in
colour.
·
Lord Shiva also
gave dharshan to sage Markandeyar under the Vanni tree.
·
This lingam is
not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is
“Theendathirumeni”.
·
This temple’s
east facing main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers.
·
Lord Murugan is
seen with his right leg on his peacock mount. He has a bow in his hand.
·
There is no
Navagraham in this temple as this temple because it is built in 7th century. Navagraham worship
came into practice only after the 10th century. It is also believed that
since Suryan and Chandran worshiped the lord here, there is no need for a
Navagraham shrine here.
·
There is a “Srichakra”
installed in front of Goddess Thiripura Sundari.
·
This temple has
5 theerthams have originated from the “jada mudi” of Lord Shiva.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Marundeeswarar, Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri
Palvanna Nathar, Sri Vanmeeka Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Thiripura Sundari, Sri Chokka Nayaki, Sri
Sundara Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Chithirai tank and 5 more Theerthams -Janma
nasini, Kama nasini, Papa nasini, Gyana dhayini and Moksha nasini. |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vanni |
BELIEF:
Devotees
believe that by worshiping the lord here, they will be cured from their
prolonged illness. It is also believed that by circumambulating the Vanni
tree (where Lord Shiva gave darshan), devotees will be relieved off their sins
and can obtain salvation.
During
Brahmotsavam, on the 9th day, the occasion of Lord Shiva giving darshan to
sage Agasthiar is celebrated.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Brahmotsavam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chathurthi |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda
Shashti |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruvanmiyur
is situated at a distance of about 29 kms from Koyambedu, Chennai. It is on the
ECR (Chennai to Mahabalipuram route).
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Marundeeswarar
Temple,
Lalitha Nagar,
Thiruvanmiyur,
Chennai,
Tamil Nadu – 600 041.
LOCATION:
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