Sri Piravi Marundeeswarar Temple – Ashwini Nakshatra

Address

Sri Piravi Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur – 614713

Deity

Gajasamharamurthy, Amman: Bruhan Nayaki

Introduction

• Location: Sri Piravi Marundeeswarar Temple is located in Thiruthuraipoondi, near Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.
• Deity: The main deity is Lord Shiva as Piravi Marundeeswarar, who faces the west, which is rare in Hindu temple traditions.
• The temple is specifically significant for Ashwini Nakshatra people.
• Belief: It is believed that visiting the temple and performing Parihars (special offerings) can wash away sins and lead to a new birth, helping in the cycle of birth and death (attaining Moksha).

Puranic Significance:

• Sthala Purana:
  • There was a demoness named Jallika, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and her husband, Virubakshan, was a demon who ate human flesh.
  • Jallika prevented him from eating a Brahmin boy, but Virubakshan ate him anyway and died instantly.
  • Jallika prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi for her husband’s life.
  • Goddess Bruhan Nayaki appeared and revived both Virubakshan and the Brahmin boy, turning Virubakshan into a kind-hearted person and ensuring long life for him.
  • The Goddess also promised Moksha for the Brahmin boy’s father.

Beliefs:

• The Tarukavanam rishis were arrogant, believing they made Lord Shiva godly through their Yagas.
• To teach them a lesson, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a beggar and mesmerized the rishis. Lord Vishnu also disguised as a lady, causing further chaos among the rishis.
• Upon realizing they were deceived, the rishis planned to destroy them, but Lord Shiva revealed himself, killed the elephant, and humbled the rishis.
• The legend is connected to the temple’s significance.

Special Features:

• Ashwini Nakshatra people are advised to visit the temple regularly to retain their natural resistance to illnesses.
• Visiting the temple on Full Moon or New Moon days is believed to relieve fear and illness.
• Women offer prayers for the well-being and long life of their husbands, performing Abishekam and offering clothes to the Lord.

Festivals:

• Chithirai festival (April-May), Navratri (Sep-Oct), and Shivaratri are the notable festivals celebrated at the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruthuraipoondi

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruthuraipoondi

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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