- Special Features
Foundation Year1000-2000 years oldSthala TreeMavilangaiTheerthamMarkandeya theerthem, Bindhu Sudha theerthamRathamArchitectureOther SpecialityLord Shiva graces in the temple as Swaymbumurthi. He is worshipped as Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar meaning that He relieves the devotees from debts. This is the only temple where three Durgas are present as Shiva Durga, Vaishnavi Durga and Vishnu Durga. Saint Tirunavukkarasar has praised the Bhairava in the temple with a special hymn. Bhairava graces here with a tattoo on the left upper arm with a trident and bell, a form exclusively seen only in this temple. The rays of sun fall directly on the presiding deity and the feet of the Mother on 13, 14 and 15th of Masi (February-March). The holy tree Mavilangai will have only leaves for the first four months of the year, only white flowers during the second four months and nothing during the remaining four months.
- Sthala Puran
Sage Markandeya installed a Linga for his own soul satisfaction near the Vinayaka in this temple and had been worshipping the Lord, praised as Rina (debts) Vimochana (released and discharged) Lingeswarar (God).
Everyone aspires for a comfortable life. Despite health, education and wisdom, if poverty creeps in, life becomes miserable and involves one in borrowings and debts. People pray to Lord Rina Vimochana Lingeswara here to spare them from such events in life. They offer prayers on 11 Mondays performing archanas and participate in the abishek ceremony finally on the 11th Monday to realize their prayers. Devotees firmly believe that this prayer would offer solution for all their problems and endow them with a life free of debt and blessed with children, education and material progress.
The Lord is Swayambumurthy. The holy tree Mavilangai has only leaves during the first four months of the year, only white flowers during the next four months and with none of these during the remaining four months of the year. The rays of Sun falls on the presiding deity Lord Sara Parmeswara and on the feet of the Mother on 13, 14 and 15th of Masi month.
- Architecture
Mother Gnanavalli shrine is on the outer corridor (prakara) left to the presiding deity Saraparameswarar. Lord Shiva teaches righteous path to all beings and Mother Gnanavalli assists Him in this graceful service, according to our Puranas. In the inner corridor, there are shrines for Vinayaka, Nataraja, Idaparooda (Lord Shiva on the bull vehicle), Dakshinamurthy, Kalabhairava, Durga, Sun and Sani Bhagwan (Saturn).
On the western side of the Prakara, there are shrines for Vinayaka, Markandeya and a Linga installed by him gracing His devotees from their debt burden web called Rina Vimochana Lingeswara. Then follows the shrines of Sri Balasubramania. The temple was built by the famous Chola King Kulothunga Chozhan.
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and Prayers
Devotees seek the grace of the Lord in this temple for freedom from debt burdens and cure from illness.
Offerings to DeityDevotees offer abishek and Vastras to the Lord on realizing their prayers. The affluent ones do poor feeding (Annadhanam) and contribute for the maintenance and renovation of the temple.
Stotras and Mantras
- FestivalsMaha Shivaratri in Masi (February-March), Iypasi Annabishekam (October-November) and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai (December-January).
- Sodasha Upcharas
- Prasadhas
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
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