Thiruidaichuram

Thiruidaichuram

Paadal Petra Sthalam, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Gnanapureeswarar, facing east (also called Idaichuranathar)

Goddess

Govarthanambikai, facing south (also called Imayamadakodi)

Other Deities

Outer Prakaram – Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Brahmandeswarar, Brahmandeswari, Navagraha. Inner Prakaram – Naalvar, Ganesha, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava, Veerabadra, Vinayaka and Muruga as Dwarapalakas. Sanctum Niches – Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Thiruidaichuram is a large temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the south facing entrance. Outside the Rajagopuram is a wet facing shrine for Varasidhdhi Vinayaka. The Rajagopuram has the Boar and Sword symbols of the Vijayanagar Empire. The temple has two Prakarams and in the outer Prakaram a separate shrine with Virumandeeswara faces west. The main deity is a Swayambu (self occuring) and is an Emerald stone. The Emerald Lingam is said to reveal its shine in many colors during Deeparathanai. This feature has been mentioned in the Thevaram Hymns of Thirugnanasambandar. The goddess is with the feet forward and back as if walking. There is a temple pond east of the temple. The place where Thiruidaichuram is there is today called as Thiruvadisoolam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Madhura Theertham (Temple Pond)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thiruidaichuram is an ancient temple and has many stone inscriptions all around. The temple has been visited and sung upon by Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE). The Rajagopuram, or at least its base, seems to have been built later during the Vijayanagar Period as is evident from their symbol carved in it.

Legend

The sacred tree, Vilwam, is found growing together with a Neem and Peepal tree and is considered as the embodiment of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha here at Thiruidaichuram. Once while passing this area Thirugnanasambandar felt tired and hungry. The Lord set out to help him and the goddess wanted to join him. Shiva did not accept ash it was she who had fed Thirugnanasambandar with the divine milk while he was a child and that he would recognize her immediately. This is the reason for the goddess to be in a walking posture. Lord Shiva in the form of a shepherd appeared in front of Thirugnanasambandar and offered him a pot of milk. As he walked away the saint followed him and saw him disappear in the temple tank. Since the Lord appeared and disappeared in the middle (Idai) of Thirugnanasambandar’s pilgrimage he is also called as Idai Churanathar. The connection with the Saint has also given the Lord his name here – Gnanapureeswarar, the one who provided him wisdom.

It is also believed that the Lingam was discovered by a cowherd who discovered his cow shedding milk into some dense bushes and cleared the place to discover the emerald Shiva Lingam. It is also believed that it was the Goddess who appeared in the form of the cow. Sages Gowthama and Sanathkumara are also believed to have worshiped here at Thiruidaichuram.

Directions

Thiruidaichuram is 7 Kilometers east of Chingleput in the Thiruporur road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Chingleput is the best option for food.

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