Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi

Saivite Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Airavateeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Abirami Ambika, facing south

Other Deities

Vrichika Vinayagar, Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Muruga with consorts, Spatikalingam, Vilwavaneswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswara, Vaitheeswarar, Bairavar, Surya, Navagrahas

Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi is an east facing temple with 5 tier Rajagopuram and a temple tank on the south-east. This is Vrichika Nakshatra (star) Sthalam. The Lingam portion is white in color and is made of a type of mud and hence Abishekam (Ablution) is performed with a Kavacham (Armour). The Vinayaka idol here at Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi is unique and has engravings of Scorpions all over.

Holy water (Theertham) – Chandra, Yama, Agani, Agastiya, Brahma, Kasyapa, Gowthama and Sesha Theertham.

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

History

Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi has plenty of inscriptions on the sanctum sanctorum outer walls giving an indication of its great antiquity.

Legend

A learned and greedy Brahmin used to take Til dhana (donation) as it is believed that this gives away one’s sins also and in turn, the person has to pay more money. Over time he became dark, huge and ugly. To rid himself of this condition he performed a penance in the middle of fire for 12 years. Lord Shiva was pleased with his worship and granted boons. Armed with these he now started troubling people. Lord Indra and his white elephant mount Airavata prayed to the lord to stop this brahmin who in turn sent Akoramurthy to punish the brahmin and took him in custody. As he was a staunch devotee of Shiva, he excused him and made him in charge of the Nandavana (garden) here at Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi.

Directions

Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi is about 18 kilometers from Kumbakonam towards Mayiladuthurai. After Thirumangalakudi take a right to reach Aaduthirai and then cross the railway line to reach this temple.

Stay and Food

None locally at Airavateeswarar Melmaruthuvakudi, nearest is Kumbakonam or Mayiladuthurai.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples