Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram

Saivite Temples – Vellore District

God

Marghabandeeswarar (also called Vazhithunainadar), facing east.

Goddess

Maragadhavalliammai, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Chandramouleeswarar, Sabdamadar, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Durga, Navagraha, 1008 Lingam, 108 Lingam, Panchamuga Lingam, several other lingams in a long array, Karaikkal Ammayar,

Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram Temple is full of exquisite stone sculptures and mantapas, well worth spending half a day at least if you are an enthusiast. The massive Rajagopuram at the east entrance has 7 tiers. The Gopuram at the west side is also large with 5 tiers. On the southern and northern sides two small Gopurams have been built atop the wall through which you cannot enter. The presiding deity is a Swayambu (self-occurring) and in a leaning angle. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord in the month of Panguni (March-April). There is also a time stone here that would have shown the time of the day with its shadow in the past. The importance of Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram is the Rudraksha Roof above the Sanctum Sanctorum. Virinjipuram has also the reputation of being the birth place of the renowned Vedic scholar and Shiva devotee, Sri Appayya Dikshithar. A tunnel found here at Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram is believed to run till the Jalakandeswara Temple in Vellore. This would have been used as a secret exit to shift the valuables and deities of the temple. A temple tank (Brahma Theertham) is present to the south of the temple. A small stone tank in the form of a squarish Quatrefoil (Soolatheertham) is seen in the outer prakaram.

Holy water (Theertham) – Simhatheertham, Brahmatheertham, Soolitheertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Palmyra Palm, which is in the inner corridor of the temple. This is said to have a peculiar character of giving the fruits in black color in a year and white the following year!

History

Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram was originally built by Cholas, Pallavas and later developed by the Vijayanagar Kings. Several stone inscriptions found here at Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram indicate the antiquity of the temple. Arunagirinathar (15th Century CE), Appaya Dikshithar (16th Century CE), Pattinathar and others have sung the praises of the deities here at Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram.

Legend

To overcome a curse Lord Brahma came to Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram as a boy and was initiated to Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) with Brahmmopadesa (teaching of the Gayatri Mantra) and Shiva Deeksha. The word Virinjan denotes Brahma. Since Brahma is believed to have worshiped the lord here at Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram, the place is named Virinjipuram. The Shiva Lingam is seen leaning to one side so that the boy could have reached the top to perform Ablution for the lord.

A merchant was saved from dacoits by the Lord here at Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram and hence his name is also Vazhi Thunai Naadhar (one who protects you on your way).

The Simha Theertham in the outer Prakaram is said to have been created by Aadhi Shankara and the Brahma Theertham by Lord Brahma.

Directions

Virinjipuram is about 13 kilometers after Vellore in the Chennai – Bangalore highway towards Bangalore. Marghabandeeswarar Virinjipuram temple is visible from the main road and is just about 100 meters away.

Stay and Food

Tea and snacks shops available locally.

Saivite Temples

Marghabandeeswarar, Virinjipuram