Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple- Maham Nakshatra

Address

Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple,Odukkam Thavasi Medai, Viralipatti, Via Natham-624 304, Dindigul District. Phone: +91 93624 05382 / 95782 11659

Diety

Mahalingeswarar Amman: Maragathavalli, Manickavalli

Introduction

Mahalingeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thavasi Medai Village near Viralipatti in Dindigul District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is Mahalingeswarar. Mothers are Maragathavalli and Manikkavalli. The Temple is unique of the presence of two Ambikas. This Temple is known for Bhairava Sthala and also one of Star Temples for Maham Nakshatra. MAHAM STAR TEMPLE: Also, the sage Bharadwaja is one of the five sages who installed Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. His reputation is beyond the power of words. Despite high power gained through intense penance, the sage was all humble in nature. The two Peetas at the entrance of the temple are said to be Bharadhwaja himself sitting there to have the touch of the feet of devotees on his head. Born in the Maham Star, special pujas are performed in his favour on this day. It is believed that many noble souls and sages partake in the pujas invisibly. It is advised that those born in Magam star should take Sage Bharadhwaja as their Guru and worship Lord Shiva with abishekams and archanas on Magam star days, Panchami, Sashti, Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Pradosham and monthly Shivarathri days to sustain a happy and prosperous life. *MAHAM STARERS: Naturally, Maham people worship here for relief from adverse planetary problems. Special pujas are performed for Lord and Mother on Masi Maham festival day. For remedy from illnesses, devotees light ghee lamps. Those facing Vasthu problems in their houses, also worship here. Devotees perform abishekam and offer Vastras to Lord and Mother. Special pujas are performed to Lord and Mother on the Masi Maham day when those born on Maham Star pray. Devotees light ghee lamps in Shiva shrine for cure from illness. Special pujas are performed by those facing Vasthu problems in their houses.

Puranic Significance

ODUKKAM THAVASI MEDAI: As Maharshi Bharadhwaja performed penance sitting on a platform with concentration on the Lord controlling all his senses, the place is known as Odukkam Thavasi Medai. Odukkam-controlling the senses; Thavasi-one performing penance and Medai-platform. REASON BEHIND THE PARTITION IN PLANTAIN LEAVES: On his way to Ayodhya from Lanka with Mother Sita and Lakshmana, Sri Rama relaxed in the hermitage of Sage Bharadhwaja here. While taking food there, Sri Rama drew a line across the leaf to share it with Sri Anjaneya to acknowledge all the services he rendered during his difficult days in search of Mother Sita and in the battle against Ravana. Both dined on the same leaf sitting opposite to each other. It is said that since the event, plantain leaves began to grow with this partition line.