Thiruvidaikazhi Murugan Temple

Sri Murugan temple is located at Thiruvidaikkazhi or Thirukuravadi is a village in Nagapattinam district, Tamilnadu.This temple is a Rahu, Kethu and Sevvai parihara sthala.

Normally any temple will have one main God that can be seen in the main Sannidhi or the Garbhagriha. But the unique thing about this temple is that both Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga are found in the same Garbhagriha. They both are considered as the main Deity of this temple.

According to the Sthala Purana, after killing Surapadman in Thiruchendur, the Lord Bala Subramanya (Muruga) killed Surapadman’s son, Hiranyasuran in this Sthala. After the massacre, Lord Muruga offered his prayers to Lord Shiva (Papavimochana Nathar) to wash away his sins and to get the blessings of his father. After being impressed by the prayers of Lord Muruga, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed his son. He also made his Son to stand in the front, as he took a position that is slightly behind. So, when in this temple it can noticed that in the main Sannidhi (Garbhagriha), the 6 feet tall Murugan Idol will be in the front and the Lord Shiva’s will be behind, slightly towards the Northwest facing in east direction. Also seen is a small sized Spatika Lingam in front of Lord Muruga.

Another sthala purana of this temple is that, this is believed to be the place where Devaiyani was betrothed (engaged)to Lord Muruga. In a way of emphasizing this, it is noticed that the idol of Devaiyani in her sannidhi will seem to be slightly tilted towards the direction of Lord Muruga.(Obviously of Shyness !!).

Another interesting feature of this temple is the Dwajasthamba. Normally an idol of Lord Vinayaka will be present at the base of any Dwajasthamba. But here, you can see both Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka seated next to each other.

The temple Sthala Vriksham or the sacred Tree is Kura Maram or Kura Tree (Webera corymbosa, Bottle brush tree). It is said that the leaves of this tree acts as an antidote for snakebite and other Venomous stings. Also, according to the local people and the priests, it is believed that if a woman ties a cradle in the trunk of the tree, she will be blessed with a child. This custom is still followed.