Irumbai
Mahalam is mentioned in Thevara hymns now called Irumbai. This is the 32nd 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 MahalanatharConsort
: 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
INSCRIPTIONSAs
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 2nd 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 10th day of
415. (inscription is incomplete).
The inscription at Irumbai (Thiruvirumbai),
Mahaleswarar Temple Vikrama Chozha’s 2nd 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 3rd Chirupanatru Chieftain and a great gifter,
Nalliyakodan belongs to Oymanadu in
which Arasili was a part of it.
RefThe Annual Reports on South
Indian Epigraphy for the years 1902, 1937 No. 190-193, 176-178. &South Indian Inscriptions, Volume VII.

LEGENDSTwo
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 சிந்தையைஅல்லும் பகலும் உன்னையே தொழுவேன்கல்லும் 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
CELEBRATIONSApart
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 ).
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 TIMINGSThe
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---
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
Siva siva
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog Sir...
DeleteFrom Irumbai Koot Road bus stop - Next stop to Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road share autos are available to this temple. I reached around 4.30 PM. After I tried to Kiliyanur temple at 6 PM but no luck.
ReplyDeleteOh... very nice to hear your journey to all the temple and the information and so sorry for the Kiliyanur Temple darshan... Thanks a lot for following my blog.. all the best to you...
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