Aadhi Chockanadar Madurai

Saivite Temples, Madurai District

God

Chockanadar, facing east

Goddess

Meenakshi, facing east

Other Deities

Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Bairava, Idaikadar, Vinayaka and Muruga with consorts

Aadhi Chockanadar Madurai is a small east facing temple which is said to be as old as the famous Madurai Chockanadar Temple. It is on the road and there are no other shrines.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Not known

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Not known

History

Aadhi Chockanadar Madurai is an ancient temple and based on the legend it could have been constructed during the Pandya period.

Legend

Idaikadar Sidhdhar, a Tamil poet was humiliated by Kuchela Pandiya when he ignored the poet’s songs as he was reciting. The poet went to lament to the Lord. The Lord of Madurai Chockanadar Temple is said to have moved out here to teach a lesson to the King who regretted and built this temple. Idaikadar Sidhdhar is a sangam age poet who wrote the 54th verse of Thiruvalluva Maalai. Thiruvalluva Maalai is a series of 55 short hymns praising Thiruvalluvar and his Kurals written by 55 poets spanning the period between 1st century CE and 11th Century CE.

The Lingam here at Aadhi Chockanadar Madurai is believed to have been worshiped by Kubera and Mercury and is considered very significant.

Directions

Aadhi Chockanadar Madurai is in North Veli Street on the south bank of the Vaigai.

Stay and Food

There are excellent restaurants and hotels for stay and food in Madurai.

Saivite Temples

Aadhi Chockanadar, Madurai