Vadamadurai Sri Virundheeswarar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Vadamadurai Sri Virundheeswarar Temple, Mettupalayam Road, K.Vadamadurai Post, Near Thudiyalur, Coimbatore North Taluk, Coimbatore District – 641 017 Mobile: +91 94428 44884

Deity

Sri Virundheeswarar Amman: Vishwa Nayagi

Introduction

Location: Virundeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in Vadamadurai, near Thudiyalur in Coimbatore North Taluk, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.
Deities: The presiding deity is Virundheeswarar, and the temple’s mother goddess is Vishwa Nayagi.
Administration: The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Accessibility: It is located approximately 100 meters from Vadamadurai Bus Stop, 500 meters from Thudiyalur, 12 kilometers from Coimbatore Junction Railway Station, and 18 kilometers from Coimbatore Airport, along the Coimbatore to Mettupalayam road.

Puranic Significance

Historical Background: The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 7th century CE, with the last consecration ceremony held on July 11, 2019.
Legend of Virundheeswarar: According to legend, Sundaramurthy Nayanar, a devotee on a religious pilgrimage in the Kongu region, visited this site after worshiping Lord Shiva at Avinashi. Exhausted and hungry, he prayed to Lord Shiva for help. An elderly couple, who were none other than Lord Shiva and Parvati, appeared and offered him delicious food made from drumstick leaves and fruits. Grateful for their hospitality, Lord Shiva came to be known as Virundheeswarar (the Lord who hosts guests).
Adhikara Nandi: At this temple, Lord Shiva granted equal power to his mount, Nandi, leading to the concept of Adhikara Nandi, which originated here.
Other Names: The area of Vadamadurai has been referred to as Ganeswaram, Agasthya Nallur, and Gandhamapuri in various Yugas.

Beliefs

Devotee Practices: It is commonly believed that performing abhishekas (ritual bathing) to the Adhikara Nandi during Pradoshams brings prosperity to devotees. Additionally, devotees pray to Lakshmi Narayana Perumal in the temple, offering Tulsi, for harmony in married life and to reunite separated couples.

Special Features

Temple Orientation: The temple faces east and features an entrance arch.
Sanctum Structure: The sanctum sanctorum comprises several sections: the sanctum, antrala, maha mandapa, ardha mandapa, and mukha mandapa.
Nandi and Balipeedam: Nandi and Balipeedam are located in the mukha mandapa, facing the sanctum.
Nataraja Shrine: A south-facing shrine for Nataraja can be found in the maha mandapam. Unlike traditional depictions with flowing hair, here, Lord Nataraja is shown with neatly dressed hair.
Deity’s Form: The presiding deity, Virundheeswarar, is represented in the form of a Lingam. The sanctum houses two Shiva Lingams: a Swayambhu Linga (self-manifested) at the back and a smaller Lingam in front. It is believed that sun rays illuminate the Shiva Lingam on the 17th day of the Panguni month each year.
Koshta Idols: Surrounding the sanctum are idols of Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga. The shrine for Chandikeswarar is located in its usual position.
Mother Goddess Shrine: Vishwa Nayagi, the mother goddess, is enshrined in a separate east-facing shrine.
Additional Shrines: The temple grounds include shrines for Lakshmi Narayana Perumal, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Subrahmanya, Suryan, Chandran, Anjaneya, Saneeswarar, Kala Bhairavar, and the Navagrahas.
Sthala Vriksham: The sacred tree, or Sthala Vriksham, is Vana Murungai (Drumstick tree).
Theertham: The associated holy water source is known as Vidagara Theertham.

Festivals

Major festivals celebrated at the temple include:
- Thai Poosam
- Margazhi Arudhra Darshan
- Maha Shivrathri
- Panguni Uthiram
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Sankatahara Chaturthi
- Kala Bhairavar Ashtami
- Monthly Pradoshams