Makaleshvarar Temple

Overview

Saint Tirugnanasambandar had praised the Lord of the temple in Thevaram hymn as one wearing the sacred ash, one who stripped the skin of the wild elephant, wearing the crescent moon, accompanied by the daughter of the King of the Mountains (Parvatha Rajakumari) and worshipped by those of impeccable traits, all merciful in Irumbai. This is the 32nd Shiva temple in Nadunadu region praised in Thevaram hymns. This temple is about 1000-2000 years old.

About The Temple

Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Lord Sundara Ganapathi. The vimana, tower above the inner sanctum is of Ekadala design. The temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Gnanasambandar and Arunagiriar. Lord Nataraja graces from a shrine left of that of Goddess Ambica’s shrine. His leg is seen slightly folded which is attributed to His pleasant state of mind. There is a fire circle around Lord Nataraja and Mother Shivakami, giving a rare darshan for the devotees. As this shrine is just before that of Goddess Ambica’s, the devotee can have the darshan of presiding Lord Shiva, as Nataraja and Mother Ambica simultaneously. Behind is the shrine of Lord Muruga with six faces accompanied by His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Sri Kalabhairava graces from a separate shrine facing south.

Lord Moon-Chandra has His shrine in the prakara facing west, holding a palm leaf praised as Kala Chandra. Devotees worship him with milk and rice and seek His blessings to excel in education and arts. All the 9 planets in the Navagraha shrine are with their spouses. Sun is on Lotus peeta in sitting form with His legs folded with his spouses Usha and Pradusha sitting on his lap. This is a rare darshan of Sun.

Thala Virutcham

Punnai

Theertham

Makala Theertham

About The deity

The Lord here is also known as Chandrasekharar and his consort is Kuyilmozhi Nayaki. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. Shivalinga in the temple is split into three parts with three faces. All the three faces are covered by a copper plate and pujas are performed. It is said that the three faces represent three Lords Brhamma, Vishnu and Shiva. This form of Lord Shiva is very rare in temples.

Legend and Stories

Two demons granted by the blessings of Lord Shiva wished to Have Mother Parvathi for them and marry Her. Mother Parvathi took the form of Goddess Maha Kali and killed them. For killing the demons, even the Goddess was inflicted with the Brahmahatya Dosha and was wandering in this place. She performed penance for Lord Shiva and got relieved of the dosha. Later a sage by name, Maakalar, during his pilgrimage installed one Linga in Ujjaini in North and one at Ambar Makala near Mayiladuthurai in South and worshipped them. Upon realising the greatness of this place, he installed one Linga here too and named it as the Lord Mahalanathar.

A Siddha known as Kaduveli Siddha was performing penance sitting under a peepal tree. It was drought time in the place and people were suffering from poverty. To disturb the sage and to make it rain, the king sent a woman of enticing beauty to spoil Siddha’s penance. When the Siddha woke up from the penance, the king told him that he only did it doubting that his penance would have caused the monsoon failure. On hearing this, the Siddha stopped his penance and stayed there to worship and serve Lord Shiva. The place became prosperous with good rain and crop.

People celebrated a festival in praise of Lord. The woman who disturbed the penance was dancing before the Lord in procession when her anklet got loose and fell off. To avoid the merriment of the celebration, Siddha took the anklet and fixed it back on the leg of the Devadasi. People began to mock at the Siddha blaming him of his strange behavior. Angry Siddha sang to the Lord saying he gave up the penance for the sake of the people who are now misunderstanding him. The Linga in the temple split into three. King fell at the feet of the Siddha and apologized. Siddha sang again to forgive the king. The split parts joined again, Lord Shiva appeared and granted salvation to the Siddha.

Goddess Ambica is worshipped here as Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki – Ambica with a voice as sweet as that of a nightingale. She is seated on a Lotus designed peeta facing south with features of Mother Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Goddess Ambica was watching the penance of Kaduveli Siddah and was telling Lord Shiva about the greatness of his penance in her sweet voice, hence, the name Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki. People use to perform abishek to mother Ambica with honey and consume it seeking Her blessing for a sweet voice and mastery of fine arts.

Festivals

Masi Magam and Shivrathri in February-March, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform special abishek to Lord with vastras upon realizing of their wish.

Significance

People pray to Lord Mahakaleswara for longevity. Innocent people blamed unjustly pray for the removal of such scars.

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Aadhi Tiruvarangam Perumal Temple
2. Sivalokanathar Temple
3. Swarnakadeswarar Temple
4. Atulya Nadeswarar Temple
5. Selva Lalithambikai Temple
6. Veeratteswarar Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Chennai.

Railways

The nearest railway station is at Puducherry.

Road

The devotee has to get down at the Tiruchitrambalam Koottu Road on the Puducherry - Dindivanam route (10 km). The temple is 2 km from here.

Temple Address

Shri Mahakaleswarar Temple,
Irumbai-605 010, Arovil,
Villupuram district.