Thirumarainathar Temple
Tiruvaadavur

Presiding Deity:
Tirumarainaathar

The Thirumarainathar Temple is an ancient and significant Shiva temple located in Thiruvathavur, near Melur in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district. This sacred site is particularly revered as the birthplace of the great Saivite poet-saint, Manikkavasagar. The temple's architecture features a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower), and its history dates back over a thousand years, with inscriptions and features from the Pandyan, Vijayanagara, and Nayakkan eras. 

Deities

Main Deity: Lord Shiva is worshipped as Thirumarainathar, also known as Vedhanathar or Vedapureeswarar. The lingam is a swayambhu (self-manifested).

Consort: The Goddess, Aranavalliammai, is also known as Vedha Nayagi.

Other Shrines: Separate shrines are dedicated to various deities, including Manikkavasagar, Lord Bhairava, and Chintamani Vinayagar. 

Brief legend

According to legend, Lord Shiva cured Lord Saturn (Saneeswara) of a rheumatic ailment at this location. To commemorate this, the place came to be known as Vadavur, or 'the town of the ailment'. Another legend states that after losing his dog vehicle in Kailash, Lord Bhairava was directed by Shiva to worship at Thiruvathavur. Bhairava created a pond, now known as Bhairava Theertham, and regained his vehicle after his penance. 

Significance

The temple is a Thevara Vaippu Sthalam, a site mentioned in the Saivite canonical works. Its primary spiritual significance comes from its association with the 9th-century saint Manikkavasagar, who was born here and is believed to have contributed to the temple's construction. It is also believed that Lord Shiva revealed the sound of his anklet (thiruchilamboli) to Manikkavasagar at this very spot. 

Remedies

Devotees primarily visit the temple seeking healing from rheumatic, paralytic, and other neurological diseases. The healing oil used for the ritual anointing (abishekam) of the main deity is considered to have medicinal properties. Worshipping the temple's special Bhairava idol for eight consecutive Ashtami days is believed to help recover lost possessions or vehicles.

Saranam.com only facilitates rituals at temples for those who are unable to physically be present at the temple for various reasons.

1.We are not an agent/representative/official website of any temple and perform these services through our own network of representatives.
2.We are not a temple. We are not a religious movement. We get no money from particular religious institutions or leaders. We are not pushing a particular spiritual agenda.
3.All pujas or other rituals offered through our website do not involve any kind of animal sacrifice.
4.The charges for services include charges collected at the temple, cost of purchasing offerings, conveyance and various other charges towards fulfillment of the order and are subject to change from time to time without notice.

IMPORTANT NOTICE 

The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), Government of Tamilnadu, has raised certain objections regarding private entities offering spiritual services at temples under the control of the HR&CE. Hence we have temporarily suspended services at this temple through our website till the issue is resolved. Kindly accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused. For more information please contact helpdesk@saranam.com