Markandeswarar Echoor

Markandeswarar, Echoor

Sriperumbudur Saivite Temples

God

Markandeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Maragadhambikai, facing south

Other Deities

Sidhi Vinayakar, Dharma Sastha, Muruga with consorts, Kalabhairava, Navagraha, Suryan, Chandran. Sanctum Niches – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Markandeswarar Echoor is a small east facing temple with the entrance gateway from the south. The temple has a single Prakaram housing all the shrines and the sanctum sanctorum which is flat on top without a Vimaanam. To the southeast of the temple is a large Lotus Pond and to the south of the temple is a small temple pond. Both are the Holy Water ponds here at Markandeswarar Echoor. Near this temple are temples for Nookala Amman and Kali Amman. The Kali Amman temple has a temple car.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Vadakkari Theertham, Edakkari Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Markandeswarar Echoor is an ancient temple, but historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

Markandeswarar Echoor is believed to have been built by Echadattan, father of Chandikeswara, as commanded by the diving voice of Lord Shiva and hence the village is called Echoor. The two Theerthams here are believed to be the ones where Chandikeswara purified himself. Yama, the god of death, is believed to have prayed to the goddess here and installed the Maragatha (Emerald) Idol and thus the name of the goddess here at Markandeswarar Echoor is Maragathambikai. People actually worship the lord her on Kari Naal (inauspicious days) to overcome the fear of death.

Directions

Markandeswarar Echoor is 4 kilometers west of Vallakottai. Take the road from the Muruga temple at Vallakottai and drive on in the twising road to reach Markandeswarar Echoor. Vallakottai is 4 kilometers north of Oragadam in the road going to Sriperumbudur.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest are Oragadam and Walajabad.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples