Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram

God

Emaneeswaramudayar, facing east

Goddess

Swarnagujambikai, facing south

Other Deities

Rajaganapathi, Muruga with consorts, Nataraja, Mallikarjuneswarar, Bhairava, Navagraha. Sanctum Niches – Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram is a small east-facing temple situated in a single spacious Prakaram. A small balipeedam and a beautiful Nandi are in front of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity. An open mandapam is common to both the main deity and the south-facing shrine of the goddess. There is a Mahamandapam and Ardha Mandapam in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord. A separate shrine and Nandi are present for Lord Shiva as Mallikarjuneswara in the Prakaram. The ornamental carvings around the sanctum walls are beautiful. The Navagraha are large idols. Bhairava is seen without his dog mount here at Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Yama Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram is an old temple as is evident from the inscriptions found here and the architectural style. Historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

Yama, the god of death, is believed to have installed the Lingam and worshiped Lord Shiva here at Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram. When Yama came to take the life of Markandeya he was kicked aside by the Lord at Thirukadaiyur where Shiva appears as Samharamurthy (Destroyer). Repenting for his folly, Yama installed the Lingam and worshiped Lord Shiva who appears as an Anugrahamurthy (Protector) here at Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram.

Directions

Emaneeswaramudayar Emaneeswaram is on the north side of the Vaigai River flowing through Paramakudi. There is a Perumal temple also nearby and a few more temples in Paramakudi.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea and snack shops. The closest is Ramanathapuram.