Sri Marundeeswarar Temple | Thiruvanmiyur Shiva Temple | Famous Shiva Temples In Chennai | Paadal Petra Sthalam | Temples in Chennai

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple Thiruvanmiyur

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. This antiquated temple is said to be over 1300 years. Thiruvanmiyur gets its names from Sage Valmiki as Thiru-Valmiki-Oor. Since Sage Valmiki is worshipped Lord Shiva here, God is called "Vanmeeki Nathar". 

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 25th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Lord Shiva here is a Swayambumurthi (self-showed) and the lingam is white in color. This lingam isn't moved by human hands, not even by the priests, for what it's worth "Theendathirumeni". 

The Presiding Deity is Lord Shiva as Sri Marundeeswarar, Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri Palvanna Nathar, Sri Vanmeeka Nathar, and his consort as Sri Thiripura Sundari, Sri Chokka Nayaki, Sri Sundara Nayaki

Sthala Purana

Sage Agasthiyar revered the Lord and learned the study of "Oushadha Muligai" (Medicinal herbs) from God. Hence Lord Shiva is called as "Sri Oushadeeswarar" and "Sri Marundeeswarar". ("Marundu" signifies Medicine and "Eswarar" signifies God in Tamil). Sage Agasthiyar was honored with Lord Shiva's wedding darshan under the Vanni tree, the Sthala viruksham of this temple. Also, Sage Valmiki was advised by Sage Narada to worship the Lord here, for salvation. Shiva appeared to Sage Valmiki under this temple's Vanni tree. The Lord also performed his dance on a full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni when the sage achieved salvation. The heavenly cow Kamadhenu also prayed the lingam here to look for help from a revile by Sage Vashistar. As Kamadenu venerated and offered her milk, the lingam seems white in color. Henceforth, Lord Shiva is otherwise called "Palvanna Nathar" ("Palvannam" signifies "white as milk" in Tamil). 

Since Vedas and Devas have worshipped the God here, He is called "Sri Vedapureeswarar". Lord Shiva offered darshan to sage Markandeyar under the Vanni tree.  It is accepted that deities Brahma, Mahavishnu, Ram, Suryan, Chandran, and Sage Birunki have adored Lord Shiva of this temple. The Chola King Rajendran is likewise accepted to have revered the God here. 

Saint Appayya Dhikshithar, a Sanskrit scholar has revered God here. Once, during heavy floods, he couldn't see God's face to worship. He requested to show him Darshan by turning towards him. Shiva obliged and turned west to offer his darshan. Thus, in this temple, Lord Shiva's shrine alone faces the west while other sanctums face the east. 

Divinities in the Temple

Other than shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, sanctums and idols of Deities Vinayakar, Murugan (as Selva Muthukumaraswamy) with his consorts, Veerabahu, Arunagirinathar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Mahavishnu, Durgai, Gajalakshmi, 108 lingams, 63 Nayanmars, Nalvars, Kedareswarar, Jambukeswarar, and Ramanathar, Arunachaleswarar with Unnamulai Amman, Sundareswarar and Kalabairavar can be found in the altars. There is a different sanctum for Sage Valmiki here.

Famous Shiva Temples That You Should Visit:

Sri Vanchinathar Temple
Adi Annamalai Temple
Dakshinamoorthy Temple Pattamangalam
Thirumakaraleeswarar Temple 
Thirumayam Sathyamurthy Temple
Sri Lakshmipureeswarar Temple
Karaneeswarar Temple Saidapet
Sri Theerthapureeswarar Temple
Sri Manokkiyanatha Swamy Temple

Temple Timings & Address

The temple is open from 05.30 am to 12.00 noon and 04.00 pm to 08.30 pm.

Address

Sri Marundeeswarar Temple, Lalitha Nagar 

Thiruvanmiyur Chennai, 

Tamil Nadu – 600 041. 

Tele: +91 44 - 2441 0477, 2442 2688.