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Marundeeswarar Temple in Chennai is an ancient temple which dates back to the past millennium when it was visited and sung by the two of the Saivite Saints, Nayanmars Appar and Sambandar. Marundeeswarar or the Divine Physician Shiva is the presiding deity here. The legend has it that this deity was worshipped by Valmiki, the author of the epic The Ramayanam. The place itself derives its name to this sage poet. This temple also enshrines Tyagarajar as in Tiruvotriyur.
Features of Marundeeswarar Temple in Chennai
- The temple spreads over an area of about one acre.
- Two beautiful five tiered towers or Raja Gopurams grace the Eastern and the Western entrances to the temple.
- The main temple contains two separate spacious chambers, the Thyagaraja Mandapam and the Marundeeswarar Mandapam.
- Thirty six huge pillars embellished with refined carvings beautify the Thyagaraja Mandapam which houses the Somaskanda Swaroopam of Shiva.
- Tripurasundari, the consort of the presiding deity is housed in a separate mandapam in the temple complex.
- Other images decorate the pillars of the temple while beautiful stucco figures adorn the Gopurams or the entrance towers.
- The Vanni tree is the sacred tree or Vruksham here.
- Five sacred tanks here are associated with this temple, Janmanasini, Kamanasini, Papanasini, Gnanadhayini and Mokshadhayini.
- The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in March-April.
- A unique feature of this temple is the eighteen types of dances involving the festival image of Thyagaraja.
- The image is placed on a specially designed device called Thyagarkanai and taken out on the 10th and 11th days of the Bhramotsavam and on Tiruvadirai in the December-January months.
How to Reach Marundeeswarar Temple in Chennai
By Air
The Kamaraj Domestic Airport and the Anna International Airport are located at Tirusulam at a distance of 20 km from the city.
By Rail
Chennai is also well connected to all the major cities in India through a wide network of railways. The rail service connects to all the main cities of the neighboring state and the country. By Road
The excellent road network of Chennai makes it easily accessible from other important cities of Tamil Nadu and the neighboring states.
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