Sri Mahakaleshwarar Temple / Maha Kaleswarar Temple / Irumbai Shri Maha Kaleshwar Temple, இரும்பை ஸ்ரீ மஹாகாளேஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோயில், Irumbai (Thiru Irumbai Maahalam ), Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Irumbai Mahalam is mentioned in Thevara hymns now called Irumbai. This is the 32^nd and last of the Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. There are 3 mahalam where Shiva gave darshan, of these this is the center of the three (on North – Ujjain, on South Ambar Mahalam, and this is at the center).

Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar, after worshiping Lord Shiva Chandramouleeswarar of Thiruvakkarai, came to this temple. After worshiping Lord Sri Mahakaleshwar of Irumbai Mahalam, he proceeded to Thiruvathigai without staying here. He covered Thiruarasili Shiva temple, even though both are close to each other, temple after returning from Kalahasti.

    வக்கரைப் பெருமான் தனை

        வணங்கி அங்கு அமரும் நாள் அருளாலே

    செக்கர் வேணியர் இரும்பைமா

        காளமும் சென்று தாழ்ந்து உடன்மீண்டு

    மிக்க சீர்வளர் அதிகைவீ

        ரட்டமும் மேவுவார் தன்முன்பு

    தொக்க மெய்த் திருத்தொண்டர் வந்து

        எதிர்கொளத் தொழுது எழுந்து அணைவுற்றார்

Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

    மண்டு கங்கைசடையிற் கரந்தும் மதிசூடிமான்

    கொண்ட கையாற் புரமூன்றெரித்த குழகன்னிடம்

    எண்திசையும் புகழ்போய் விளங்கும் இரும்பைதனுள்

    வண்டுகீதம் முரல்பொழில் கலாய்நின்ற மாகாளமே

Moolavar  : Sri Mahakaleshwarar, Sri Mahalanathar

Consort    : Sri Madhu Sundara Nayagi, Sri Kuyil Mozhiammai

Some of the important features of this temple are …….

The temple faces east entrance arches on the east and south sides. The Temple tank is in front of the temple ie on the east side.

Moolavar is of three pieces bounded by a brass / pithalai plate. The story behind this is given in the legend. (It was told that Kaduveli Siddhar’s Jeeva Samadhi is inside the sanctum sanctorum ... ?). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Vishnu Durgai.

Kaduveli Siddhar’s  bas-relief  is made on the brass sheets affixed on the mandapa wall, before the right side of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal sannadhi is in front of the south entrance in a standing posture. Natarajar Sabha is near Ambal sannadhi with ma Sivakami. Lord Shiva dances in a relaxed mood with a little bend on the leg. Standing in place, we can have the darshan of Lord Shiva, Ambal, and Natarajar.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar with 6 faces, Vayu Lingam, Hanuman, Chandikeswara, Kala Bhairavar, Chandra as Kala Chandra, holding a palm leaf, Navagrahas ( all the Navagrahas are with vahana and their concerts. Surya is on the lotus pedestal in sitting posture ). Paintings of Lord Shiva dancing, Ambal, Subramaniyar, and Vinayagar are also done all around the south side entrance, Vinayagar, and Subramaniyar Sannadhis.

Navagrahas Sannadhi: Suryan – Usha Brat Isha,  Chandran – Keerthika, Angarakan – Sakthi Devi, Budhan – Gana Devi, Guru – Dhara Devi,   Sukran - Sirungini Devi, Sani – Jesta Devi, Raghu – Singi Devi and Kethu – Chitra leka .

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions, this place was called Thiruvirumbai which was under Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Oyma nadu.      Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvirumbaiudayar, Thirumahalamudaya Nayanar. From the inscriptions, this place was under the rule of Chozhas, Pandyas, and Sambuarayas. 

Kulothunga Chozha’s ( 1207 CE ) 29th-year reign inscription starts with his meikeerthi / title, ( AR 190 of 1902 ) records the gift of lands both agricultural land 25 veli and non-agricultural land 5 veli after exempting taxes to Thirumahalamudaya... (the inscription is incomplete and damaged in many places)

Vikrama  Pandya’s 2^nd year, 2nd-day reign inscription ( AR 191 of 1902 ) records the endowment of pooja for which donation of lands of both agricultural (vilai nilam) and non-agricultural (kollai punjai), was made to this temple Thirumahalamudayar and Thiruvarasiliudayar Alalasundara Nayanar. The lands are at Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Mathur nattu Olukarai alias Kulothunga Chozha nallur and the land was handed over to the respective temple accountants.  (Another inscription AR 192 of 1902 mentions the same content).

Rajanarayana Sambuvarauyar’s 10th-year reign inscription (AR 193 of 1902 ), records the gift of land to the temples of Thiruarasili and Thiruvirumbai, as irayili after exempting all types of taxes to conduct the Aadi month festival, regular poojas, and maintenance. The same was signed by Sethirayan, on the 10^th day of  415. (inscription is incomplete).

The inscription at Irumbai (Thiruvirumbai), Mahaleswarar Temple Vikrama Chozha’s 2^nd year reign inscription records the place Arasili, and another Thevara Paadal Petra sthalam, as “Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Mathur nattu Olukarai alias Kulothunga Chozha nallur Thiruarasili Udayar Aalala Sundaranar. As per the experts, this Olukarai might have corrupted the present name of Olunthiyapatu. The Sangam literature Pathuppattu’s 3^rd Chirupanatru Chieftain and a great gifter, Nalliyakodan belongs to Oymanadu in which Arasili was a part of it.

Ref

The Annual Reports on South Indian Epigraphy for the years 1902, 1937 No. 190-193, 176-178.  &

South Indian Inscriptions, Volume VII.

LEGENDS

Two demons Amban and Ambasuran worshiped Lord Shiva and got the boon of Ma Parvati to marry them. Since Ma Parvati is the incarnation of Mahakali, Killed both demons at Ambar. Though ma Parvati, a Maha Sakthi and supreme of all, she also has the Brahmahathi dosha. To get rid of the Brahmahathi dosha ma Parvati wandered in this world and did a penance of Lord Shiva. With the grace of  Lord Shiva Parvati got rid of brahamahati dosha. Later Maha Kalar  Maharishi installed 3 Shiva Lingas at Ujjain, Irumbai, and Ambar (near Kumbakonam) and worshiped Lord Shiva. Hence Lord Shiva is called a Mahakalanathar.

Since Ambal is also called Kuyil Mozhiammai, devotees worship her for her sweet voice and excel in fine arts. Also, devotees punished due to injustice pray to Lord Shiva to get back justice.

Sri Mahakaleshwar worshiped Ma Parvati to get rid of the brahmahatya dosha. 

The legend of Kaduveli Siddhar is given below with mural images made on the inner walls of the Temple complex.

The Sthala Purana of this temple connected with Moolavar crack/pieces and the Kaduveli Siddhar, goes like this ......

Once Kaduveli Siddhar was in penance under a peepal tree. He used to stretch his hand to get the leaf falling from the tree for food. That was his food during the penance. Due to the penance, the heat generated was not allowed to rain in the area.  People suffered from hunger.

When King Kulothungan came to know about this,  he announced that whoever made awake Siddhar from his penance would get the reward. So a Thasi by the name of Valli gave food when the Siddhar stretched his hand for leaf. The Siddhar became conscious after eating the normal food.

After that, while he was watching the dance of  Valli,  her angelet (Kolusu/salangai) was untied by itself and the Siddhar tied the back the same. The song is as follows... 

"வெல்லும் பொழுது விடுவேன் வெகுளியை 

செல்லும் பொழுது செலுத்துவேன் சிந்தையை

அல்லும் பகலும் உன்னையே தொழுவேன்

கல்லும் பிளந்து கழுவெளியாமே "

The people realized the power of Kaduveli Siddhar and begged to forgive them. Again Siddhar sang another song and the two pieces joined together. His song to join the pieces is as follows...

"எட்டும் இரண்டும் அறிந்த எந்தனை 

எட்டும் இரண்டும் அறிந்த உந்தனை 

எட்டும் இரண்டும் ஒன்றதாகுமே "

Kaduveli Siddhar was blessed by Lord Shiva and the Siddhar entered into the Jyothi of Lord Shiva.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Masi magam, Maha Shivaratri ( Feb – March ), Thirukarthikai in Markazhi ( November- December ) and Panguni Uthiram ( March–April ).

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is open From 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs on all days.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The landline number is +91 413 268 8943 and the mobile number 98435 26601 may be contacted for further details.

More details may be obtained from the temple’s website http://irumbaimaakaleswarar.com

HOW TO REACH :

There is a place called Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road on the bus route Tindivanam to  Pondy, from there Irumbai is 3 KM after crossing the National Highways (Bypass road ).

The temple is 3 KM from Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road, 9 KM from Pondicherry / Puducherry, 28 KM from Tindivanam, 41 KM from Villupuram, and 154 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Puducherry.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---