Manikkavannar temple, TiruMarugal
Location
Tiru-Marugal
Deity
Manikka-Vannar
Female Deity
Vanduvaar-Kuzhal-Ammai
Pathikam
Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 2
How to Reach
Tirumarugal is situated about 6.5 km from Tirupugalur. The temple can also be reached by road from Tiruvarur and is about 26 km from Tiruvarur.
Temple Address
Tirumarugal
Tirumarugal Post
Nannilam Taluk
Tiruvarur District
PIN – 609702
Temple Hours
Morning : 6:00 - 12:30
Evening : 4:00 - 8:00
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Temple Layout
Main Entrance
Thirumarugal Temple is one of the renowned Maadakovils (elevated temples that elephants cannot climb) built by King Kochengat Chola. The temple derives its name from a type of plaintain tree called Marugal, which serves as its Sthala Vriksham. The majestic 68-foot-tall eastern Rajagopuram forms the main entrance to the temple. Directly opposite the entrance lies the sacred Manikka Theertham, complete with a Neerazhi Mandapam (water pavilion), while the sannidhi of Muthu Vinayaka stands on the bank of this tank. A smaller gopuram is located on the southern side. Enclosed by massive compound walls, the temple has two prakarams (circumambulatory corridors). Upon entering through the main gateway, devotees first encounter the flagstaff, bali peetam, and Nandi. To the left, on a raised platform, stands the sacred Vanni tree. According to tradition, this is the very place where Tiru-gnanasambandhar restored the merchant's son, who had died from snakebite, back to life and subsequently solemnised his marriage.
Shrines in the Prakarams
The sannidhi of Goddess Vanduvar Kuzhali Amman is situated in the prakaram. The sanctum of the presiding deity, Ratnagiriswarar (Manikkavannar), stands atop an elevated platform (Kattumalai), where the Deity appears as a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Lingam facing east. A distinctive feature of this temple is the separate sannidhi for Sanaischarar, located on the northern side near the entrance to the main sanctum—an uncommon arrangement rarely found in other Shiva temples. The inner prakaram houses the bronze idols of the 63 Nayanmars, along with sannidhis for Parasara Lingam, Vinayaka, Subramanya, and several other deities. The sacred Marugal tree, the temple's Sthala Vriksham, stands along the northern wall of the inner prakaram. The Koshta deities include Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, and Durga. Also located within the temple are the sannidhis of the Navagrahas, Bhairavar, and Surya. The stone idols of the merchant's son and daughter, whose marriage was solemnised by Tiru-gnanasambandhar after the son was brought back to life, are enshrined together on a single pedestal, with the saint's idol installed beside them.
Thiruppugazh Sthalam
Lord Muruga of this temple was glorified by Arunagirinathar in his Thiruppugazh hymns, making this one of the revered Thiruppugazh Sthalams. Here, Muruga appears with a single face, two arms, and is accompanied by His two consorts, Valli and Deivanai.
Sthala Puranam
The Miracle of Removing Snake Venom
A merchant named Thaman from the Pandya country had seven daughters. He had promised to give one of them in marriage to his nephew. However, as each daughter came of age, he broke his promise and arranged their marriages to others. Realising this, the youngest daughter secretly left home with her cousin, determined to marry him despite the objections of their elders. The couple reached Thirumarugal and spent the night in a nearby monastery (Thirumadam). That night, tragedy struck when the young merchant was bitten by a snake and died. Since they had not yet been married, the young woman could not even touch his body, in accordance with the customs of the time. Heartbroken yet steadfast in her devotion, she prayed fervently to Shiva, seeking divine grace. At that time, Tiru-gnanasambandhar had arrived at Thirumarugal. Moved by the young woman's grief and helplessness, he sang a pathigam beginning with “Sadaiyaay Enumal…” in praise of Shiva.
By Shiva's divine grace, and to the amazement of everyone gathered there, the young merchant was restored to life. Tiru-gnanasambandhar then solemnised the marriage of the couple in the presence of Shiva and blessed them with a happy life together. Even today, devotees believe that married couples who have become separated can worship the deity at this temple and be blessed with reconciliation. According to the Sthala Puranam, Goddess Mahalakshmi, after being separated from Vishnu, worshipped the deity here and was reunited with her divine consort.
Tiru-gnanasambandhar's Visit to Thiruchengattangudi
After restoring the young merchant to life, Tiru-gnanasambandhar remained at Thirumarugal for some time. During his stay, Siruthondar humbly requested him to visit Thiruchengattangudi. Before setting out, Sambandhar worshipped Shiva at Thirumarugal. It is believed that Shiva of Thirumarugal graciously revealed the deity of Ganapatheeswaram at Thiruchengattangudi to His beloved devotee while he was still at Thirumarugal. Sambandhar then sang the celebrated pathigam beginning with “Angamum Vedhamum Odhum Naavar”, a hymn that is common to both the Shiva temples of Thirumarugal and Thiruchengattangudi.