Shri Mahakaleswarar Temple

Overview

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 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.

About The Temple

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

About the Deity

Two demons securing boons from Lord Shiva wanted to Have Mother Parvathi for them and marry Her. Mother Parvathi incarnated as Maha Kali and destroyed them. For killing the lives, even Mother was inflicted with the Brahmmahati Dosha and was wandering in this place. She performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the dosha. Later, a Rishi, Maakalar by name, during his pilgrimage installed one Linga in Ujjaini in North and one at Ambar Makala near Mayiladuthurai in South and worshipped them. Coming to know the reputation of this place, he installed one Linga here too and named the Lord Mahalanathar.

Legends and Stories

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. Assuming that rain failed in the place due to Siddha’s penance, 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 the king, Siddha stopped his penance, stayed there and was serving 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 behaviour. Angry Siddha sang on the Lord saying that 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 forgiving the king. The split parts joined again, Lord Shiva appeared and granted salvation to the Siddha. Mother Ambica is worshipped as Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki – Ambica with a voice as sweet as that of nightingale. She is seated on a Lotus designed peeta facing south with features of Mother Mahalakshmi the Goddess of Wealth. Ambica was watching the penance of Kaduveli Siddah and was telling Lord the greatness of his penance in her sweet voice, hence, the name Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki. People use to perform abishek to Ambica with honey and consume it seeking Her blessing for a sweet voice and mastery of fine arts.

Lord Moon-Chandra has His shrine in the prakara facing west, holding a palm leaf praised as Kala Chandra. Devotees worship him with milk rice seeking His blessings to shine 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 on His lap. This is a rare darshan of Sun.

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.

Accessibility

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. The nearest railway station to reach Shri Mahakaleswarar Temple Temple is Puducherry railway station. The nearest airport to reach Shri Mahakaleswarar Temple temple is Chennai International Airport.

Temple Address

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