Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – The Temple

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – The Temple

There are two arches on the east and south side. Presiding Deity is called as Mahakaleshwarar / Maga Kalanathar. The Shiva lingam in broken form and tied together with a copper string. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambu Murthy. Shivalinga in the temple is split into three parts with three faces. All the three faces are covered by a copper plate and pujas performed. It is said that the three faces represent three Lords, Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva. This form of Lord Shiva is very rare in temples.

The vimana, tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of Ekadala design. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai are the niche idols located around the sanctum. Urchavar of this Temple is Chandrasekharar. Mother is called as Mathura Sundara Nayagi / Kuyil Mozhiyammai. Mother Ambica is worshipped as Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki – Ambica with a voice as sweet as that of nightingale. 

She is seated on a Lotus designed peeta facing south with features of Mother Mahalakshmi the Goddess of Wealth. Ambica was watching the penance of Kaduveli Siddhar and was telling Lord the greatness of his penance in her sweet voice, hence, the name Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki. People use to perform abishek to Ambica with honey and consume it seeking her blessing for a sweet voice and mastery of fine arts.

Lord Nataraja graces from a shrine left of that of Ambica. His leg is seen slightly folded which is attributed to his pleasant state of mind. There is a fire circle around Lord Nataraja, Mother Shivakami, which is rare darshan for the devotees. As this shrine is just before that of Ambica, the devotee can have the darshan of presiding Shiva, Nataraja and Ambica simultaneously. 

Behind is the shrine of Lord Muruga with six faces accompanied by his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Kala Bhairava graces from a separate shrine facing south. Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Lord Sundara Ganapathi. Lord Moon-Chandra has his shrine in the prakara facing west, holding a palm leaf praised as Kala Chandra. Devotees worship him with milk rice seeking his blessings to shine in education and arts. 

The significance of the Navagraham in this temple is that all the nine planets are with their respective consorts - Suryan (Usha and Pradusha), Chandran (Keerthika), Angarakan (Sakthi Devi), Budhan (Gana Devi), Guru (Dhara Devi), Sukran (Sirungini Devi), Sani (Jesta Devi), Raghu (Singi Devi) and Kethu (Chitraleka). Sun is on Lotus peeta in sitting form with his legs folded with his spouses Usha and Pradusha on his lap. This is a rare darshan of Sun.

Shrines of Vayu Lingam, Hanuman and Chandikeswarar can also found in the prakaram of the Temple. The inner corridor walls have intricate sculptures and reliefs that beautifully depict the story of Kaduveli Siddhar. Sthala Vriksham is Punnai Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple is Makala Theertham.