The
visit to this Sri Purantheeswarar Temple at Marudhu was part of “Durga/
Kotravai, Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples around Vavdavasi” on 12th September
2026. I sincerely thank Mrs. Uma Jairam and Ramkumar Chandrasekaran for taking me to these places.
Moolavar : Sri Purantheeswarar
Consort : Sri Indiraprasaathavalli
Some
of the special features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram on the west side. Dwajasthambam,
Vilakku thoon, balipeedam, and Rishabam are on the east side. Rishabam faces
moolavar through jala. Vinayagar and Murugan are on either side of the sanctum
sanctorum. A Rishabam is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of
swayambhu on a round avudaiyar, under rudraksha pandal and nagabaranam. In the
koshtam are Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Natarajar
with Sivakami, Utsavar and Pradosha Nayakar are in the ardha mandapam.
In
the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (on the back side of
the main sanctum sanctorum), Chandikeswarar, 63 var in a row along the compound
wall, Ambal, Naga bandham (5 nagas, signifying the confused mind of Indira and
the human minds), Vinayagar, Ambal, a soolakal, Suryan, Chandran, and Ayyappan.
Ambal
is in a separate temple and faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture, with the lower
hands in abhaya varada hastam and the upper hands holding a pasa and an angusam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and
pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahmakantha
pilasters with kalasam, kudam, a plain mandi, palakai, and Taranga pothyal. The
prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyyalavari. The
vimanam over the bhumi desam was constructed with bricks, one tala, greevam, and
vesara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma, and tala and
greeva koshtams.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is said that the temple belongs to the 8th to 9th centuries, the Nrpatunga
Pallava period, and later received contributions from the Cholas and Vijayanagaras.
One of the inscription stones in the village records the provision and
rectification of the sluice of this village eri. Further, the eri was gifted to
this village as sarvamanyam.
Nrpatungavarman’s
12th year of reign, 881 CE inscription, records that Kongaraiyar
Ninraperumān² caused the construction of a weir/ தூம்பு (kalingu) and the renovation of
the sluice (tumbu) to the tank at Marudādu.
The
inscriptions found in this temple belong to Rajaraja Chozha I, Rajendra Chozha
I, Raja Narayana Sambuvarayar, Vijayanagara Kings Veera Narasinga Maha Devarayar,
and Achuthadeva Maharayar. As per the inscriptions, this place was called Vikrama Chola Nallur, and the temple was called Perunthirukoil, and Shiva was
called Perunthirukoil Mahadevar, Perunthirukoil Alwar, Perunthirukoil Udaiya Nayanar,
etc. The Kanappetra Ganapati Marudadunattu Perunthachan of this village.
Rajendra
Chozha I’s inscription starts with his meikeerthi and records an endowment in
this temple.
Chozha period inscriptions record the endowment of a burning perpetual lamp at this temple and the donations made, which include gift ewes, etc.
Reference
1. Temple
inscriptions
2. Inscriptions of the Pallavas
3. South Indian Inscriptions Volume - XII
Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05th February 1995.
Rajendra Chola I's inscription starts with his meikeerthi
Perunthirukoil Udaiya Nayanar - Marudhadu
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, during the process of churning the ocean of milk, Indira got
the elephant Iravatham, Kamadhenu, who gives anything, and Indrani. With all the
wealth, Indira was not happy, always with fear, mental anxiety, and depression
for unknown reasons. Indrani tried to find the reasons which causes Indira, is
not to be happy.
Once
there was a fight between Devas and Asuras. To win the fight, it was said that
a Munivar’s backbone should be used as a Vajrayutham. So the Devas went and stood
before the Kathichi Muni to help them. Though the Munivar was a Shiva Bhakta, he gave his backbone to the Devas. Even though the Devas won in the war, Indira got the Brahmahathi dosha for killing the Shiva Bhakta Munivar. To
get rid of the dosha, Narada advised Indira to go to earth and do Shiva Pooja. Indira, with Indrani, came down to earth and worshipped Kashi Vishwanath at Kashi and many
places, and finally came to this place.
When they travelled towards the south, they happened to see the Shiva Linga and the theertham in the midst of Marudha
forest. Indira took a bath and worshipped the Shiva Linga. Immediately, he was
relieved of all his worries. Both Indira and Indrani stayed here for many
years. Satisfied with their poojas, Shiva and Parvati came out of the Shiva
Linga and asked them what boon they wanted. Indira asked for the boon to be relieved from
Bramhahatriya dosha, unnecessary worries, fear, etc. Shiva gave the boons to
Indira as he requested. Further, Shiva told Indira that, since these boons are
given by Ma Parvati, Ma Parvati as Indiraprasaathavalli and Shiva as
Purantheeswarar will stay in this temple and bless all the devotees who worship them.
There
is a well with a tunnel in front of the temple. It is believed that Indira and
Agasthiyar used to come daily and worship Ambal and get prasaad.
This
temple is believed to be a parihara sthalam for Rahu and Ketu.
When
entering through the western side Rajagopuram, Parivara Sannidhi, and going around the
temple, it will confuse us about the direction, as happened to Indra. When we go
out of the temple after the darshan, the confusion will be cleared.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from Oru Kala Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri, pradosham,
Chitra pournami, Kiruthigai, Rahu Kala Poojas, Karthigai Deepam, Thaipoosam,
Vaikasi Visakam, Vinayagar Chaturthi, and almost all Hindu celebrations, etc.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to
19.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Gurukkal Sreemandhu Iyer’s mobile number is +919786459000, may be contacted for
further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
temple is on the east side of the Cheyur – Vandawasi – Polur Road, 7.5 km from
Vandawasi, 21 km from Melmaruvathur, and 87 km from Tambaram.
The
nearest Railway Station is Melmaruvathur.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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