Thirumuruganatheeswar Temple – Thirumuruganpoondi

 

Thirumuruganatheeswar Temple is located at Thirumuruganpoondi town in Tiruppur district of Tamilnadu State

Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Thirumuruganatheeswarar and Goddess Avudainayagi is the consort of Lord Shiva

It is one of the Paadal Petra Stahalams of Lord Shiva

Out of the 275 temples that are revered by the three saints, Sundarar has exclusively visited 25 temples with this temple counting as one of them.

Of the five thandavams performed by Shiva in different places, this place is counted as the one where he performed the Brahma Thandavam.

This temple was built in Dravidian style of architecture

The name of the village is derived from the lord Murugan who himself is supposed to have installed and worshipped lord Shiva in the temple at this place. Murugan killed the demon king Surapadma at the behest of the Devas. He incurred Brahmahatti Dosha for slaying the demon into two pieces. Muruga is believed to have dug a spring with his Vel, the spear and worshipped Shiva at this place. Since Muruga worshipped his father Shiva, the presiding deity came to be known as Muruganathaswamy.

Sundarar is a famous Saivite saint and Nayanmar belonging to the 8th century. He has revered many Shiva temples in South India in his verses compiled as the Seventh Thirumurai. As per Hindu legend, while arriving at this place, he took rest in a Vinayaka temple. He presumably forgot to get thoughts about Shiva and to test his devotion, Shiva sent his Bhutaganas to steal all his possessions. Sundarar prayed to Vinayaka in the temple who showed him to proceed towards the East. Sundarar, in his anger, sang about Shiva blaming him of not protecting his possessions. Shiva graced him with his presence at this place and restored all his possessions.

This temple does not have Rajagopuram

There is an Ardha Mandap and a Mukha mandap, pillared halls leading to the sanctum.

There is a shrine of Muruga facing South, towards the Shiva shrine. Since Muruga is believed to have used his weapon, the Vel, to dig the spring, he is seen without his weapon in the shrine, nor his vehicle peacock.

The first precinct has the images of Vinayakar, Durga, Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswara. The shrine of Avudainayagi is seen in the first precinct facing west.

Shanmugha Theertham, Gnana Theertham, and Brahmatheertham are the three temple tanks connected to the temple.

Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Maasi (feb-march) and Maha Shivaratri are the most celebrated festivals here.

Other popular celebrations held at the temple are Thaipoosam, Annabhishekam, Kanthasashti, and Karthigai Deepam.

Timings

6.00 am to 1.00 pm

4.00 pm to 8.00 pm

How to reach the Temple

9 km from Tiruppur