275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiru Irumbai Makalam Sri Mahakaleshwar Temple !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!



Thiru Irumbai Makalam is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalams of Lord Shiva located in Villipuram district, Tamil Nadu.  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga with three faces.  The three faces represent the three entities Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva respectively.



Presiding deity – Sri Mahakaleshwar/Makalanathar with his consort Goddess Sri Madurasundara Nayaki/ Kuyilmozhi Ammai.


Sthalavruksham – Punnai tree


Sthala Theertham – Makala Theertham


Vimanam – Ekadhala Vimanam



Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar sung praising the glories of Sri Mahakaleshwar in this temple.  Saint Arunagirinathar also sung praising Lord Subramanya here.



Festivals – Masi Makam, Maha Shivaratri, Thiru Karthikai, Panguni Uthiram



Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya with six faces along with his consorts Goddess Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Nataraja & Goddess Sivakami, Kalabhairava, Lord Chandra, Navagrahas with their consorts, Lord Surya with his consorts Usha and Prathyusha,



Sri Devimahathmyam describes the story of two demons Shumbha and Nishnumba.  The two demon brothers underwent severe penance on the sacred land Pushkar and attained several boons from Lord Brahma.  Immediately after achieving the boons they turned out arrogant and malicious.  Chanda and Munda were the servants of demon Shumbha and Nishumba.   They were persuaded Shumba and Nishumba about the enthralling beauty of Goddess Parvati.   Shumba and Nishumba approached Goddess Parvati with an appeal to marry them.  Goddess Parvati transformed into Mahakali, in a fierce form and beheaded all the demons.  As a result Goddess Parvati was afflicted with Brahmahathya sin; she arrived on this sacred land and underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva to get rid of Brahmahathya sin.  Consequently, Goddess Parvati got relieved from the sin. 



There were several myths associated with this temple, Sage Mahakala visited many sacred places of Lord Shiva.  He consecrated a Linga in Ujjain and another one on this sacred land came to known as Mahakaleshwar.   



Another interesting myth is that a Sage underwent severe penance sitting under the peepal tree positioned here on this sacred land.  Due to the austerities performed, the entire villages were affected with severe drought and famine.  The King who was ruling this city ordered to create an obstacle to the penance of the Sage.  They assigned the work to a stunning woman - Devadasi to create an impediment to his penance.  Devadasi succeeded in her mission, Sage got out of the penance.   King explained to Sage about the suspicion aroused regarding the severe drought and food crisis were the results of strict austerities followed by him.    Sage realized the situation and immediately put an end to his austerities.  Afterwards, he selflessly engaged in the service and worship Lord.  Once again the city flourished with all its natural resources.  The entire villagers were celebrated this occasion in a grand manner to reveal their boundless joy.  The enthusiastic crowd   gathered were singing and dancing cheerfully, in the meantime Devadasi who was dancing merrily in front of the deity, found her anklets got loosened and fling on the ground.  Soon, the Sage picked up the anklets from the mass and tied it on her leg with an intention of not to create any dispirit in their celebration atmosphere.  The crowd who were witnessing this strange behavior insulted the Sage and sharply criticized his act.  Sage was miserable and passionately sung praising the Lord Mahakaleshwara.   Instantaneously, the Linga in the sanctum sanctorum split into three.  Seeing this mystifying incident King fell at the feet of Sage and requested to pardon him.  Sage passionately sung the glories of Lord to forgive the King.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of the Sage, appeared before him and blessed him with Salvation.


This temple remains open from 6.30AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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