Temple Layout - This Shiva temple is the northern banks of the river 'Seyyaru'. The temple is east facing, showcasing a magnificent five-tiered Rajagopuram. There are two concentric prakarams within the temple. The presiding deity Makaraleeshwarar, is a self-manifested Linga oriented towards east while TribhuvanaNayaki, the female deity, is oriented towards the south. The prakaram around the sanctum houses sannidhis dedicated to Poyya Vinayakar, Arumukhar, 63 Nayanmars, 'Nalvar' and Navagrahas. The temple is elevated from the ground level and a fleet of few steps provide access to the main structure where the sanctums are housed. The presiding deity's sanctum is guarded by the 'Dwara Palaka's. Notably, the Linga of Deity Makaraleeshwarar has a unique form resembling the tail of a monitor, which is said to be the form in which God Shiva appeared to King Rajendra Chozha at this temple.
Within the prakaram, there exists a sannidhi dedicated to Muruga, who is depicted as 'Arumukha' (the six-faced one) and is shown seated on a peacock alongside his two consorts, facing north. This temple is linked to two significant water bodies, 'Agni Theertham' and 'Seeyaru'. According to the Sthala Purana, bathing in Agni Theertham and offering prayers to the deity can help alleviate the fear of 'Yamaloka' and ensure eternal residence in 'Shivaloka'. The second water body, Seeyaru, flows to the south of the temple, and visiting this site on Mondays is deemed auspicious. It is believed that performing 'Anga Pradhakshina' can bless childless devotees with offspring, and the Sthala Purana also recounts that Devendra worshipped the deity here to obtain blessings and benefits.
Brahma, who took pride in his dominion over the three trinities, faced a curse from Shiva. To alleviate this curse, he erected a Shiva Linga at the site for his veneration. Once the curse was lifted, Brahma, on his return to 'Sathya Loka', planted a jackfruit tree on the periphery of the area, which miraculously produced a fruit daily. King Rajendra Chozha, intrigued by the tree and its delectable fruit, decreed that it should be offered to Nataraja at Chidambaram before being presented to him. Following the king's order, the local inhabitants would transport the fruit to Chidambaram and then to the Chozha capital. Observing the difficulties faced by the community, the son of an 'Andhanan' residing nearby resolved to fell the jackfruit tree. When the fruit deliveries ceased, the king learned of the tree's destruction and subsequently exiled the individual responsible. The guards were dispatched to ensure the exile was executed promptly, with the king accompanying them to oversee the punishment.
Upon the king's return, he noticed a golden-hued monitor lizard concealed within the bushes at the periphery. In his attempt to capture it, the creature escaped into a snake pit. The king ordered his men to dig out the pit to capture the monitor, which resulted in the injury of its tail from their weapons, leading to significant bleeding. Witnessing this, the king fainted and fell, later regaining consciousness to a divine voice instructing him to construct a temple at that very location. Consequently, King Rajendra Chozha established a Shiva temple at Tirumaakaral.
The pathikam composed by Tirugyanasambandhar is in first Tirumurai.
Rajagopuram
Dwajasthambam and balipeetam
Nandi mandapam
Vimanam
Murugar, Valli, Deivanai
Navagraha
Bhiravar
Vinayakar
Mahavishnu in 'Anantha Shayana'