Marundeeswarar Temple is located in the city Thiruvanmiyur, in the Chennai district. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, while the temple covers a broad area of 1 acre. People believe that whoever suffering from chronic diseasesif comes to this temple and says his prayers to Shiva, he receives divine healing.

People participate in its Puja rituals at six different times, from 5:30 am to 10 pm; the temple has received a renovation in 2020; the previous restoration was in 2008. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

History of Marundeeswarar

The temple witnessed its very first built during the 7th and 8th century by the Chola kingdom. It is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the two Nayanars or saints Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar sanctified the place with their holy verses. Vijayanagar rulers also contributed to expanding this temple, but the major construction happened by the Chola kings.

The inscription's verification was performed using the inscriptions of the temples Kapaleeswarar Temple, Virupaksheeswarar Temple, and Thiruvidandai. The temple went through construction and expansion many times, such as in 1903 and then in the 1970s. The temple today is also a part of the famous Trinity Sea Shore temples of Thondai Mandalam.

In the new era, the road that starts from Marundeeswarar temple is called ECR, which was known as Vadagaperuvazhi during the Chola kingdom. The temple stands adjacent to the beach of the Bay of Bengal.

Legend

There are many legends related to the temple. One such is about the sage Agastya, who was enlightened by Lord Shiva about how herbs and plants can cure ailments and heal people. Since then, the temple is known as Marundeeswarar, where Marundhu in Tamil means medicine and Eeaswara means God.

Since then, people with various diseases come and seek the blessings of Shiva to become cured.

Another legend describes the tale of sage Valmiki, who wrote Ramayana and worshipped Shiva in the temple. Upon the devotion of Valmiki, the place was to be known as Thiruvalmikiyur, which was later converted to Thiruvanmiyur in Tamil. There is a town called Valmiki Nagar to honor Valmiki.

Vanni tree was the place where Lord Shiva granted their appearance to both sages Agasthya and Valmiki. During the Panguni Brahmmotsava, the event depicts this legend.

Lord Shiva in the temple is known to facing West, which again takes us to another legend. This is about Appayya Dikshithar, the creator of the sacred books and Sanskrit literature during the twentieth century. Due to the heavy floods, he was unable to have Darshan of Lord Shiva. Since Shiva was then faced East, he only saw his back.

Once he approached Shiva to worship, and while seeing his back only, he requested the Lord to let him see the face. On his worship, Lord Shiva showed grace, and moved to the West. This made Appayya Dikshithar have an appearance of Shiva. Since then, the shrine is West-facing while the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga are facing east, and the shrine of Mother behind Lord's shrine is facing South.

This Lingam of Shiva is also considered to be the one which Hanuman worshipped. The same Lingam lifted the curse of Indra, and Saint Bharadwaj also used to worship the same Lingam. That is how this temple holds utmost significance among Shiva's temples that his true devotees always visit for his Darshan.

Markandeyar, the sage born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi, performed penance and prayed to Shiva. This temple is known as the place where Lord Brahma conducted a festival for Shiva.

It is also believed that Sun and Moon used to offer their prayers and worship the Lingam, for which Shiva is facing west as per another legend. The presiding deity here is also called Palvannanathar because of the sacred cow Kamadhenu who used to offer her milk on Shiva Lingam every day.

Architecture

The temple is considered to have been built from the Pallava and Chola dynasty as it speaks two features for its formation. There are two entrances where one can be accessed via East Coast Road and another one via West Tank Street.

On the entrance, a 5-tiered gopuram Gopuram can be witnessed. When devotees go via West Tank Street, they find three gates to enter the temple, whereas the East Coast Road has only one.

Various images adorn this temple, and the Gopurams have stucco figures embellished. When you enter the hall, you find the Somaskanda form of Shiva, which has 36 massive pillars adorned with carvings. Inside the temple, the Shaiva Sidhantha goes on, which describes the importance of worshipping Shiva; it goes on from 7 pm to 8.30 pm.

The Shiva Lingam is considered self-manifested; here for Abhishekam devotees use only pure cow milk.

Prayers to Shiva Lingam

Devotees in the temple worship Lord Shiva with Abhishekam, where they offer milk to Lord. To take home as Prasadam, they consume the sacred ash, also known as Vibhuti. This ash helps the person to get rid of the ailments and makes him earn good karma, which aids him further in life.

Then they approach the sacred Vanni tree where Lord Shiva appeared in front of the sages. Devotees circle around this tree, chanting his name or mantra and seeking his blessings.

The temple celebrates various festivals; celebrations that are related to Shiva, such as Shivratri is rejoiced with a splendor gesture. The Panguni Brahmmotsavam is one such legendary celebration that takes place in March- April when the temple receives loads of devotees to witness the magnificent adornment and enjoy the divine environment. Other festivals such as Vinayaka Chaturti and Skanda Sashti are also celebrated majestically.

The temple remains open for Darshan from 6.00 am to 12.00 am and from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm. The temple also makes arrangement for Pradosham and Pujas and Artis happen on every Pradosham.

The exact address is Sri Marundeeswarar Temple, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai. Those who want to make inquiries can call on +91 - 44 - 2441 0477.