Tiruvedagam Sri Edaganatheswarar Temple, Madurai

Deity: Edaganatheswarar Amman: Elavar kuzhali
Temple Address: Tiruvedagam Sri  Edaganatheswarar Temple, Tiruvedagam Post, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District,PIN 625234  PH:0454-3259311
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Edaganathar Temple is dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thiruvedagam, a village in Madurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located on the banks of Vaigai River. Shiva is worshipped as Edaganathar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Visalakshi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple complex covers five acres and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams, each facing the Edaganathar and Elavrkuzhali shrine. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Edaganathar and his consort being the most prominent. Thala Virutcham : Vilwa Theertham : Brahmma Theertha Kulam, Vaigai River

Puranic Significance

• Pandya Kingdom & Jainism: During the reign of King Koon Pandiyan in Madurai, Jainism had royal support, and Saivism was nearly suppressed.
• Arrival of Gnanasambandar: The young Saivite saint visited Madurai, causing concern among the Jain monks.
• Jains’ Attempt to Eliminate Him: The monks set fire to his resting place, but Sambandar sang ten verses redirecting the fire towards the king.
• King’s Affliction: As a result, the king developed severe smallpox with burning boils. Jain monks’ mantras failed to cure him.
• Sambandar’s Miracle: He applied sacred ash from the Meenakshi Amman Temple after singing the hymn “Mandhiram Avathu Neeru”, instantly curing the king.
• Jains’ Challenge: Accusing him of sorcery, the monks proposed a test—placing written verses on the Vaigai River to see whose verse would float against the current.
• Outcome of the Test:
  • Jain monks’ verse (Athi Nathi) was washed away.
  • Sambandar’s verse (Vazhga Andanar, Vanavar Aaninam) floated upstream and reached the shore.
• Establishment of Thiruvedagam:
  • The place where Sambandar’s verse reached the shore was named Thiruvedagam.
  • The temple deity was named Lord Edaganathar, along with Goddess Elavarkuzhali.

Beliefs

As people perform remedial prayers and pujas in Tirumananjeri for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, devotees do it in this temple also. They offer garlands to Mother Elavarkuzhali and take to their homes. They worship the garland and perform pujas for 48 days to realize the wedding wish. After marriage, couple come to the temple and offer prayers to Ambica

Special Features

Lord Yedaganatha Swami is a swayambumurthi in the temple. Though the Shivrathri Puja is dedicated only to Lord Shiva in all temples, the fourth puja of the night is dedicated to Lord Bhairava in this temple, as followed in Kasi-Varanasi. Those lucky to have this Kala Bhairava puja on Shivrathri day derive the benefit of performing Ashwamwta Yaga. There was a holy spring here created by Lord Brahmma. It is presently dry. It is said that those mentally retarded used to have a dip and were cured. It is still hoped that this could be restored to original glory if efforts are taken to desilt the tank and renovate the steps. As there is no water in the tank now, the deity is simply taken in procession within the tank. Vaigai River is the other holy water source. As the Holy Ganga, Vaigai too flows northward from the south. The place is also situated on the northern bank of Vaigai.

Festivals

Chithirai Tamil New Year day falling almost on April 14 or a day before or after occasionally in some year; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Lord Nataraja Tirumanjanam on Aani Uthiram in June-July; Special abishek to Ambica (Poopunitha Neerattu) on Aadi Pooram day in July-August; Utsav remembering the event of the palm leaf of Gnanasambandar floating against the current of Vaigai River on Aavani Avittam Star day combined with full moon day; Karthikai Deepam in November-December; Margazhi Arudra darshan in December-January, Masi Float festival in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Sambandar

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Best Time

7-30 – 12:00

Accommodation

Madurai

Nearest Bus Station

Tiruvedagam

Nearest Railway Station

Solvandan

Nearest Airport

Madurai

Location on Map

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