Sri Mahalinga swamy Thiruvidaimarudur

Mahalinga Swamy temple in Thiruvidaimarudur is located 8Kms from Kumbakonam in Tamilnadu.It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the seven major Shiva temples.Shiva is worshiped as Mahalingeshwaraswamy, and is represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Jyothirmayalingam. His consort Mookambika is depicted as Devi Bruhat Sundarakuchaambika. The lingam of the temple is believed to be the focal point for the seven consorts of Shiva.

This temple was established in the 9th century (in Chola Dynasty). People get amazed looking at the 149 inscriptions which indicate the contributions of Pandyas, Cholas and other kingdoms. Like other Hindu temples daily six rituals are been followed and delicious neivediyam is been offered to the deities.

The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram and the temple complex is one of the largest in the state and it houses four gateway towers known as gopurams.The temple complex houses many halls and three precincts; the most notable is the second precinct built during the Vijayanagar period that has many sculptures.

Marudur is derived from the name of the holy tree, namely Maruda.The Sthala Vriksha (temple tree) is Maruda.This temple is classified as Madhya Arjunam, called Idai Maruthu meaning centre Marudur.Since Shiva raised out as a flame to the sages, the presiding deity is also referred as Jyothirmaya Mahalingam. Historically Shiva was worshipped as Jyothi, the sacred flame and with the course of time, Jyothrilinga temples were developed. Since the place is full of Maruda tree, Shiva is also referred as Marudavanan. The Sanskrit word for the Tamizh word Maruda is Arjuna vruksham.

Legend
The legend of a Chola prince who killed a Brahmin and was in turn, pursued by his spirit (Brahmarakshas), is associated with the temple. The Chola prince, it is believed, entered the Mahalingeswarar Temple and prayed to his favourite God, Shiva for relief from the clutches of the spirit of the dead Brahmin or brahmarakshas. The Chola prince made his way out through another entrance thereby saving himself.Some sources associate the legend with Pandya king Varagunapandian. It continues till day where people take the second entrance to exit the premises after worship. There is a sculpture of Chola brahmaharakshas on the eastern premises in one of the inner gopurams (tower gateway).

Shiva is believed to have appeared as a flame to please Agastya and other sages who were performing penance. Shiva (Rudra) is said to have emanated from the heart of Mookambika. It is also believed that several other deities like Vinayaga, Murugan, Parvathi, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Brahma, Airavata (the elephant of celestial king Indra) and Vishnu worshipped Mahalingaswamy.

The most prominent festival of the temple, Thaipoosam, is celebrated for ten days during the month of Thai (mid January). The utsavar (festival deity) of Mahalingeswarar and his cosorts circumambulate the temple and the streets in the village in different temple cars. The festival ends with Theerthavari on the last day. During the Tamil month of Vaikasi (Oct-Nov), Tirukalyanam, Ambal Tapasu festivals are celebrate.