Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple

Overview

The Mahalingeswarar temple is located in Viralipatti Odukkam Thavasi Medai, in Dindigul. The main deity worshipped here is Mahalingeswarar and Amman (Thayar) is Maragathavalli, Manickavalli. This temple is a Sivan Koil.

About the Temple

Lord Mahalingeswara graces devotees. He is seen facing the east in the temple. Idols of Ambicas are smaller in size compared to the idol of the main deity. Mothers Maragathavalli and Manickavalli grace from the shrine right to the Lord. They are named after Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. As the Ambicas are close to the wall facing west, the devotee has to peep in to have their darshan. This is a rare structure. The Ambicas represent Icha Shakti and Gnana Shakti whose grace takes the devotee to Lord, Gnana Shakti, the power of wisdom. Sage Bharadwaja performed intense penance here controlling his senses sitting on a platform. Hence, the place is known as Odukkam Thavasi Medai meaning the platform where the sage sat to perform penance. Sages worship Lord Shiva in a formless state. Therefore, to avoid any likely interruption through women, the Ambicas are in a corner. Special pujas are conducted in the temple for Sage Bharadwaja on Magam star day each month as he belongs to this star.

Bhairava shrines are generally in the northeast direction in Shiva temples. Here, He is just before the presiding deity. Lord Mahalingeswarar is all powerful. As the devotees cannot bear the power during worship, Bhairava is before Him to absorb the intensity of the power. Hence, He is known as Aadhi Bhairava. There is a hole behind Bhairav. The devotees first worship Lord Shiva through this hole, Bhairava next and finally Lord again. Following the Shivrathri day, rays of Sun fall on the Lord for 30 days in the evening and on Bhairava in the evenings.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called Mahalingeswarar. His consort is known as Goddess Maragathavalli, Manickavalli.

Legend and Stories

On his way to Ayodhya from Lanka with Mother Sita and Lakshmana, Sri Rama relaxed in the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaha. While taking food there, Sri Rama drew a line across the leaf to share it with Sri Anjaneya to acknowledge all the services he rendered during his difficult days in search of Mother Sita and in the battle against Ravana. Both dined on the same leaf sitting opposite to each other. It is said that since the event, plantain leaves began to grow with this partition line. Sage Bharadwaja is worshipped in this temple. Also, the sage is one of the five sages who installed Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. Despite high power gained through intense penance, the sage was all humble in nature. The two peetas at the entrance of the temple are said to be Bharadwaja himself sitting there to have the touch of the feet of devotees on his head. Born in the Magam Star, special pujas are performed in his favour on this day. It is believed that many noble souls and sages partake in the pujas invisibly. It is advised that those born in Magam star should take Sage Bharadwaja as their Guru and worship Lord Shiva with abisheks and archanas on Magam star days, Pachami, Sashti, Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Pradosham and monthly Shivrathri days to sustain a happy and prosperous life.

Festivals

Masi Magam festival is very devotionally celebrated in the temple in February-March.

Significance

Naturally, Magam people worship here for relief from adverse planetary problems. Special pujas are performed for Lord and Mother on Masi Magam festival day. For remedy from illnesses, devotees light ghee lamps. Those facing Vasthu problems in their houses, also worship here.

Nearby Places to Visit

Dandayuthapani (Kuzhandai Valayuthar)
Peria Avudayar
Idumban
Anjali Varatha Anjaneyar
Mariyamman
Kalahastheeswarar

Accessibility

Viralipatti branch road lies at a distance of 12 km from Dindigul on the Natham Road. The devotee has to take a minibus to reach the temple from this branch way. Autos are also available. The closest railway station is in Dindigul, and the closest airport is in Madurai.

Temple Address

Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple,
Viralipatti,
Odukkam Thavasi Medai ,
Via Sanarpatti,
Via Natham, Dindigal district
Pincode – 624 304