Irumbai Shiva Temple

Introduction to the Irumbai Shiva Temple

Irumbai Shiva Temple or Irumbai Mahakaleshwar Temple is in Irumbai, Vanur taluk, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 32nd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. The area was full of Iluppai trees, which are as strong as iron. Over time, the name became Irumbai.

Legend of the Irumbai Shiva Temple

According to the temple legend, a pious Kaduveli Siddhar performed severe penance towards Shiva. His powerful penance produced unbearable heat, which made the place dry. Since the people of the village could not bear the heat, they decided to disturb his penance.

The villagers sent a female dancer to disturb the Siddhar from penance, and after a lot of effort, she stopped him from meditating. Soon after that, the rain started pouring, making everyone happy. The girl danced to pay tribute to Shiva. At that point, Siddhar realized that the girl was none other than Shiva, so he bowed and touched her feet.

But people around them started criticizing Siddhar for touching the girl's feet. Siddhar wanted to prove his innocence, so he pleaded with Shiva to appear before him. After listening to his request, the Shiva Lingam inside the shrine shattered into a million pieces, proving Siddhar's devotion

The Architecture of the Irumbai Shiva Temple

The Chola King Kulothungan III built the Irumbai Shiva Temple in the 7th century, which is in the Dravidian style of architecture.

The presiding deity Mahakaleshwar, an incarnation of Shiva, is a Swayambhu Murti. His consort is Kuyilmozhi Ammai or Madhu Sundara Nayagi. Mahakaleshwar is split into three parts with three faces. These three faces represent Trimurtis, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. A copper plate covers all three faces, and Poojas are performed.
The Irumbai Shiva Temple is one of the three places Mahakala Rishi installed and worshipped the Shiva Lingam.
Here, Vinayaka has the name Sundara Ganapathi. Natarajar and his consort Sivakami, Murugan with six faces, along with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswarar, and Kalabairavar, are other deities seen in separate shrines.
The significance of the Navagraha in the Irumbai Shiva Temple is that all the nine planets are with their respective consorts.
Intricate sculptures and reliefs on the inner corridor walls beautifully depict the story of Kaduveli Siddhar. Saint Arunagirinadhar also sang songs praising Murugan of this temple in his revered Thiruppugazh.

On the outer side is a cemented podium on which a Shiva Lingam is installed. Devotees can see a row of Rudraksha beads on the Shiva Lingam. Anjaneya Swamy's idol is placed under a Vilva Tree.
The Vimana above the sanctum displays the Ekadala style. Punnai Tree is the Sthala Vriksham, and Mahakala Theertham is the sacred Theertham of the Irumbai Shiva Temple.

A huge tiled Mandapam with tinned roofing is adjacent to the temple. It can easily hold up to 1000 people and is the site of many temple functions and marriages.

Festivals in the Irumbai Shiva Temple

Maasi Magham, Shivratri, Thiru Kartikai, and Panguni Uthiram are the major festivals celebrated in the Irumbai Shiva Temple. Pradosham is also observed bi-monthly.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Irumbai Shiva Temple

Devotees visit the temple and pray to Mahakaleshwar for longevity. Devotees perform special Abishekam to Mahakaleshwar and offer vastras on realizing their wish.

People with speech impediments and aspiring musicians pray to Kuyilmozhi Ammai by offering her honey. They believe that Kuyilmozhi Ammai can cure speech impediments and bestow aspiring musicians with a great voice.

Devotees with Brahmahathi Dosha visit the Irumbai Shiva Temple and pray to Mahakaleshwar. Supposedly, worshipping the deity removes the Dosha.