Thirumalpur

திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்
Thirumalpur – A Holy Shrine

Source: தேவாரம் & Dinamani Dt. 05.11.1999

Thirumalpur a holy town is located in the spiritual belt of Arakkonam – Kancheepuram route. The original name of this town is THIRUMAARPERU (திருமாற்பேறு) as obtained from the bakthi literature (i.e. ) தேவாரம். It is located 5 kms west of Arakkonam – Kancheepuram road and Thirumalpur railway station. This place is bestowed with a temple of Lord Shiva. It is an ancient one, of times long past 7th century A.D. (refer para 4 below). The presiding deity is Lord MANIGANDEESWARAR with ANJANAKSHI AMBAL.

Sthala Puranam:
1.The Lingam(மூலவர்) is formed of sand and not of stone like other Shiva temples. The tradition (ஸ்தல புராணம்) says that Parvathi Devi, being separated from the Lord Shiva for a time, wanted to rejoin the Lord. Hence she forged a lingam out of the vridhdhaksheera (வ்ருத்தக்ஷர) river- sand, worshipped and rejoined the Lord. The Lingam is covered with a Kavacham (கவசம்)during the daily abhisekam. On special occasions a specially prepared oil (புனுகு சட்டம்) is applied on the lingam.

2. A Vishnu deity (செந்தாமரைக் கண்ணன்) is also consecrated, facing Lord Shiva in a worshiping posture. As per the legend, Vishnu who had lost his chakra during a combat with rishi Athisi (அதிசி), worshipped Lord Shiva here and got the Sudharshana Chakra. The other name of the Lord MAL-VANANGEESAR is indicative to this legend. For the same reason this place is also known as HARICHAKRAPURAM.

3. The Holy tree (ஸ்தல வ்ருக்ஷம்) - is VILVAM; Theertham: Chakra Theertham.

4. The place gets special importance in the Saiva tradition due to the visit of great saivaite savants(நாயன்மார்) ThirugananaSampanthar and ThiruNavukkarasar (Appar) both of whom lived-in the 7th Century. They have sung 60 hymns (தேவாரம்) in praise of the presiding deity here.

5. 10 days Bramothsavam is held every year in the Tamil month of Masi (மாசி) – (Feb-March).

Epilogue: The temple is of great significance in saiva – tradition. Therefore devotees should do well to include this sacred place in their pilgrim itenarary and be blessed by the presiding deity over here.

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