Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur

Padal Petra Sthalams, Chennai District

God

Marundeeswarar, facing west.
Other names Paalvannanadhar,
Oushadheeswarar and
Vedapureeswarar

Goddess

Tirupurasundari, facing south.
Other names are Chokkanayagi
and Sundaranayagi

Other Gods

Subramanya, Vijayaganapathi, Sukkiravara Amman, Thiyagarajar, Nataraja

Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur is a large temple with a 7 tier Rajagopuram facing east. Another entrance with a smaller gopuram is on the west side. A large protected temple tank with rain water harvesting is situated opposite the eastern entrance. The temple has 2 Prakarams, one on the outer and the inner Prakarams are present for both the main deity and goddess separately. A well maintained Goshala (cow shed) is seen as in many other large temples.

Holy water (Theertham) – Jenmanasini, Kamanasini, Pavanasini, Gnanadhayini, Motchadhayini are the five therthams here

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Prosopis cineraria)

History

Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur Temple belongs to the Chola period. Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) the Saivite saint poets have visited and sung the praises of this temple, testifying its existence even before their times. Arunagirinathar has visited this temple and sung praises of Subramanya here. Stone inscriptions dating back to the 11th century AD are found in abundance in this temple. Inscriptions mentioning Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur is found in other temples in the city namely Kapaleeswarar Temple and Virupaksheeswarar Temple. This temple held a high position for centuries and it gradually fell in repair. Temple renovations started from the beginning of the 20th century, first in the year 1903 and then in 1970’s and presents a great picture today.

Legend

Sage Valimiki is believed to have been here at Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur and there is a small temple for him on the adjoining East coast road median. Lord Marundeeswarar is known so because he preached sage Agastya about magical medicine. Since then this temple has been a place of worship for people with diseases and various health problems. Kamadenu (the holy cow) is said to have given milk and worshiped here. The lord is believed to have performed his dance for Sage Valmiki here at Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur.

Directions

Tiruvanmiyur in the southern part of Chennai is a well known place in the East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram and very well connected by public transport to all parts of the city. Marundeeswarar Thiruvanmiyur has ample parking facility opposite the eastern main entrance. There are a few other modern temples nearby – Ashtalakshmi temple, Arupadai veedu murugan temple etc. The famous dance institution Kalakshetra is nearby.

Stay and Food

Tiruvanmiyur and nearby Adyar do not have too many hotels to stay, but as the place is easily accessible from other parts of city the accommodation is not a problem. There are a lot of modern restaurants and fast food chains in the area.

Paadal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples