Idaikadar Temple at Idaikattur, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th May 2019.

When we were in search of the temples of Idaikattur, the local people directed us to this Navagraha temple. We are very curious to know more about this temple and its relation to Siddhar Idaikadar. The temple is very small with a shrine for Siddhar Idaikadar and Navagrahas at the centre.

LEGEND

The Sthala Purana was inscribed on 4 tablets and erected on the side of the entrance. Idaikadar is one of the 18 Siddhars who lived during the 2^nd century in this Village. Hence this place obtained the name Idaikattur. Ilango, Seethalai Sathanar, Kabila Muni, and Paranar also lived in the same period. Idaikadar used to worship Lord Shiva Sri Manikandeswarar of Idaikattur. Idaikadar was a shepherd and an astrologer also. He predicted the drought would prevail for 12 years. During the drought, most of the animals were wiped out. Idaikadar made his cattle eat “murukku”, which led to itching on their body. The cattle rub their body on the walls which are plastered with millets. Siddhar Idaikadar survived with the millet and the milk during the drought period.

The Navagrahas passed through this place and found the cattle were healthy and wanted to know the reason. Idaikadar gave them millet and milk. The Navagrahas went to sleep for a while and Idaikadar utilized this opportunity. He rearranged the Navagrahas so that the drought would happen after 60 years. Immediately this place got rain and plants started growing  and all the reservoirs were filled up. During his final stage, he went to Thiruvannamalai and attained Jeeva Samadhi.

Idaikadar - PC: Website

CONTACT:

M Siva Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile at +919655776014 and +919655968438 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Town bus route nos  99F from Periyar bus stand, and 99M from Mattuthavani bus stand stop at Muthanenthal, and from there, shared autos are available to Idaikattur.  

All the buses to Manamadurai from Madurai stop at Muthanenthal.

Nearest Railway station is Manamadurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---