Thirumiyachur Ilangkovil Sri Sakalabuvaneswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thirumiyachur Sri Meganathaswamy / Sri Sakalapuvaneswarar Temple, Thirumiyachur Post, Nannilam Taluk, Thiruvarur District Tamil Nadu – 609 405. Tele: +91 94448 36526, 94446 98841, 04366 – 239 170.

Diety

Sakalabhuvaneswarar, Amman: Mekalambika, Savundaranayaki

Introduction

Tirumeeyachur Ilamkovil Sakalabhuvaneswarar Temple[is a Hindu temple located at Thirumeeyachur in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India.The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Sakalabhuvaneswarar. His consort is known as Mekalambika. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirunavukkarasar. Theertham (Holy water): Surya Pushkarini Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam

Puranic Significance

This “Ilam Koil” (temple within a temple) is situated right within the Thirumiyachur temple. The shrines of the main deities of the Ilamkoil – Sri Sakalabhuvaneswarar and Goddess Minnum Megalaiyaal are situated in the northern corridor of the main temple. It is believed that this ancient temple was renovated by King Rajendra Chola and Queen Sembian Maadevi. There are seven stone inscriptions available in this temple which relate to the periods of Chola and Pandiya kingdoms.This temple is under the administrative control of the Thiruppukalur Velakurichi Aadheenam.This is the place where “Lalitha Sahasranamam” originated and was first introduced to the world. It is believed that Goddess Mahalakshmi and Goddess Kali have worshipped the lord of this temple. It is believed that Garuda (the eagle mount of Lord Mahavishnu), Aruna (the charioteer of Suryan), the monkey brothers Vali and Sukreev, Yama (the God of Death) and Saneeswarar (the planet Saturn) were born in this place.

Beliefs

It is believed that those seeking wedding boon can pray to the lord here.

Special Features

Since this small temple is located within the Thirumiyachur temple, one can see Lords Shiva (as Lingothbhavar), Vishnu and Brahma simultaneously from the north- west corner of the outer corridor. This is a unique feature of this temple. Another significance of this temple is that one can get the darshan of the lords of two separate Paadal Petra Sthalams from a single temple complex. The idol of Chandikeswarar can be seen here with four faces (“Chaturmuka”). Such a form of Chandikeswarar is quite rare.

Festivals

Rathasapthami in the Tamil month of Thai is an important festival in this temple. Apart from this, almost all festivals related to Lord Shiva are celebrated here.