Iravishvarar-Marakathambal Temple

Overview

Sri Iravishvarar is the presiding deity of Sri Iravishvarar-Marakathambal temple. The temple is located and surrounded by the town which faces East. This place is also called Vyasarpadi just because Sage Vyasar worshipped Lord Shiva here. It is also believed that Sun God stayed here under the Vanni tree where he worshipped Lord Shiva everyday after taking a dip in the tank, in the the temple which is called as Surya Theertham.Behind the shrines of Sri Vedha Vyasar there is another shrine found that of Vanni Maram is the Sthala Viruksham of this temple which is located in the Northwest side of the Praakaaram. Sri Surya Bhagawan built the temple pond which is in the front of the temple also called as Surya Pushkarini.The temple is very beautiful and devotees can worship there Lord and Goddess at the same place.

About the temple

The Indira Vimanam above the Lord Shiva shrine is constructed as a nest without any support. This is visible if one stands close to the shrine and look at the vimana. The idol of Lord Shiva is facing east. There is no entrance to this shrine. The devotee has to come through the entrance in the south. On the wall against the Lord Shiva shrine, is a hole designed as a Shiva Linga. Sri Nandi is in front of the shrine. The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity through the Shiva Linga hole as if Sun God performs the first puja to Lord Shiva. Only then other morning puja – Kala Sandhi Puja- is performed. Sun God graces from the front mandap of the temple. Special pujas are performed to both Lord Shiva and Sun on Sundays, the first day of Dakshinayana and Uthrayana Punyakala days and on Makara Sankaranthi and Ratha Sapthami the seventh day of Sankranthi when the rath of Sun actually turns towards north. Those facing any adverse effects due to Sun planet perform special pujas to Lord Shiva and Sun.

Samugna Devi, wife of Sun God left Him as she could not bear the heat emanating from Him.  She left her shadow called Chaya Devi with Sun.  Chaya Devi was impartial to Samugna’s sons.  Sun came to know this later.  On His way in search of his wife, He passed a place where Lord Brahma was conducting a Yagna.  Lord Brahma, not knowing his mission cursed him to be born as a human on Earth.  To relieve himself from the curse of Lord Brahma, he installed a Linga in this place and worshipped Lord Shiva.  Pleased Lord Shiva appeared before Sun and relieved him from the curse and also got him merged in the Linga worshipped by sun.  Hence, Lord Shiva got the name Ravi Easwara, Ravi-Sun.

About the Deity

At the temple base is the Aavudaiyar of the Lingam in square shape, where the Goddess of the temple Sri Maragadhaambika is decorated very beautifully in different shrine which faces south.Just outside this holy place there is an idol of Sri Surya Bhagawan which is seen worshipping Lord Shiva, and the inner sanctum in the temple where Goddess Sri Maragadhaambika is established is Sri Kaala Bairavar present which is adjacent to the Goddess.At the outer Praakaaram, is the Dhwajasthambham that is the Flag staff, this adds beauty to the temple. There are different shrines of Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya in the outer Praakaaram.

Legend and stories

It is said in the legends that are Sri Surya Bagawan, the Sun God once was caught with Brahma Dhosha, hence to get rid of the Dhosha he worshipped Lord Shiva under a Vanni located in the temple premises. Sri Surya Bhagawan created a pond in the temple and Lord Shiva was happy with his prayers and he appeared in front of the Sun God and he granted him a wish.Sun god was known as Sri Raveeswar because Lord Shiva was worshipped by Surya Baghwan where Ravi means Sun in sanskrit. Lord Shiva named the place as Baanu Puram where Baanu means Sun. It is also believed that Rishi Sri Veda Vyasar visited this place and he worshipped the Lord here and sung hymns praising the Lord. This place is hence also called as Vyasarpadi.

Festivals

Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November, Aani Brahmmotsavam in June-July, Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Masi Magam in February-March and Makara Sankaranthi falling most of the times on January 14 are the important festivals of the temple.

Arti/Pooja/seva

Pooja Time

MORNING 7.30 A.M TO 9.00 A.M
BEFORE NOON 11.00 A.M TO 12.00 NOON
EVENING 4.30 P.M TO 6.30 P.M

Vazhipadu Time

MORNING 6.30 A.M TO 11.30 A.M
EVENING 4.30 P.M TO 9.00 P.M

Significance

Devotees seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for sins committed unknowingly, pray to Maharshi Acharya Veda Vyasa for excellence in education and to Lord Vishnu for wise children.  Unmarried women pray to Goddess Maragambal for early marriage. Those facing adverse effects due to aspects of serpent planets pray to the Naga deity under the tree with turmeric powder and perform abishek with milk.  Women tie mangalsutra (yellow thread) to the tree praying for sustaining their Sumangali status, avoiding widowhood in life.

Accessibility

Air

The city of Chennai is well connected by Air. At Chennai, we have International and Domestic Airports facilitating the people from all over the world to reach the city with ease.

Rail

The city of Chennai is well connected by Rail / Train. Chennai have two Railway Terminals facilitating the movements of North south, east and west bound train.

Bus

Bus facilities are avaliable from Chennai. Large number of Government and Private buses are plying between Chennai and other major cities.

Address

Sri Ravieaswarar Temple,
Vysarpadi, Chennai. Sri S. Sivakumar Shivachariar,
56, Murthinga Iyer Street, Vyasarpadi,
Chennai – 600 039.