History, Importance, Architecture, Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Marundeeswarar Temple is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva in form of Marundeeswar or Aushadeeswarar located in Thiruvanmiyur, near Chennai, the word Marundeeswarar is the combination of two words, Marundhu in Tamil means medicine and Easwara means God, thus Marundeeswarar means god of Medicine. The glory of this temple was sung by the two of the most revered Nayanars –the Saivite Saints, Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar in 7-8th century. It is said that the Shivlinga here is self-manifested. The exact dates of construction are unknown but construction was started during the Pallava dynasty and then temple was widely expanded by Chola Kings during 11th Century. The Temple contains two towers – Gopuaam and the water tank. The hall housing the Somaskanda form of Shiva has 36 massive pillars adorned with carvings. The Marundeeswarar Temple has small shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Murugan. The three forms of Lord Shiva are place in temple campus, Thyagaraja, Marundeeswarar, and Nataraja. Devotee can also visit the shrine of Goddess Thirupurasundari, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati, and the consort of Lord Marundeeswarar here in temple campus.
It is said that Lord Marundeeswarar- Lord Shiva had taught Sage Agastya about various herbs and medicinal plant properties – the science of Oushadha Muligai. So, usually the visitors to the Marundeeswarar are here to seek blessings and get relieved from the diseases and the various health problems.
The important festivals which are celebrated here with great zeal and devotion are Shivratri, Skanda Sashti, Ganesha Chaturthi, Panguni Brahmmotsavam etc.
It is said that the Sage Valmiki, who wrote Ramayana came here to worship Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before Sage Valmiki under the Vanni tree in temple. He was blessed here and the place formely came to be known as Thiruvalmikiyur, after a long time it was changed into Thiruvanmiyur. There is a place in Thiruvanmiyur called the Valmiki Nagar.
It is also said the Lord Hanuman, sage Bhardwaja and sage Markandeyar had worshiped Shivlinga here.
When Indra send his Kamadenu Cow with his Sage. Due to delay in pouring the milk, the cow was cursed by the sage. The cow was relieved from the curse by Lord Shiva when the cow poured her milk on Shiva’s Lingam and worshipped under the Vaani Tree. The lord here is also called Paalvana Nather (Paal means milk in Tamil). When Sage Valmiki came here to worship Lord, the cow ran in fear pressing her feet on the head of the Lingam, the scar of which is still visible on the present deity. The devotees and the visitors come here to seek blessings from the Lord Shiva and Parvati. They offer Vastras to the Lord and the mother. They take a dip in the water tank to get free from the diseases.
How to reach Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
the roads are very well connected and there are many buses travelling via Thiruvanmiyur. The nearest Railway Station is just 1km at a distance from the temple called Thiruvanmiyur Railway Station. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and gateway of India very well connected with all major cities of Idnia via road, rail and air network. Chennai has both domestic and international airports from where you can get flight to almost all Indian cities and also to all the countries of world as well at very high frequency. From the airport you can easily get the autos, cab, buses, etc. to reach city. Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram are the three railway stations of Chennai from where you can get train to all major cities of India easily. And by road, Chennai is well connected to all the major cities as well as states via highways. Chennai has one of the largest bus stations from where you can get interstate and intra state buses.
