Temple Layout - This Shiva Temple is characterized by its three-tier Gopuram, and the gateway leading to two balipeetam and Nandi, minus the dwajasthambam. The sannidhi of the presiding deity Idaiyatrunathar is west facing. A separate sannidhi for Shanmuga Subramanya, accompanied by his consorts Valli and Deivanai is within the temple's mandap. The inscription within the temple refers to Muruga (Shanmuga) as Kaliyuga rama Pillaiyar. A grand marutha tree (Terminalia arjuna) stands in the inner prakaram and in its vicinity are the Navagraha Sannidhi, Agatheeswara Linga, Chandeswarar, Sapthamathas, Palamrutha Vinayaka and more. Dakshinamurthy and goddess Durga further add sanctity to this temple as 'Goshta Murtha's. The female deity Sitridai Nayaki stands in an elegant posture, facing east towards the presiding deity.
The temples where the God and the Goddess face each other are considered to be the 'sthalam' for resolving obstacles pertaining to marriage. It is believed that visiting this temple and praying to Idiyatrunathar and Sitridai Nayaki can bring about positive outcomes to those indiviuals facing persistent obstacles in marriage.
Several well-known sages and saints, such as Sage SukhaBrahma, Agasthya, Sundarar, and Maraignana Sambandar, have paid visits to this temple and offered prayers to the deity. The presence of many parrots in the temple is linked to Maharshi Sukhabrahma, and Sage Agasthya is credited with installing and worshipping a Linga known as Agatheeswarar in the temple, where he is also depicted in a dedicated sannidhi. Notably, a special surya puja is conducted during the 15th and 16th of the Tamil month Masi from 5.00 p.m. to 5.15 p.m., when the sun's rays directly illuminate the deity..
Temple Legend - Once Lord Shiva was imparting "The Shiva Rahasya" to Umadevi. The parrot-faced Shukhabrahma Maharishi overheard their conversation. As a consequence, Shiva placed a curse on the Maharishi, decreeing that he would be reborn on Earth. Recognizing his error, Shukhabrahma Maharashi sought forgiveness and Shiva assured him that he would be born as the son of Sage VedhaVyasar and by worshiping the deity at Tiruidayaru, the Maharishi would ultimately be freed from the curse. Sage Sukhabrahma, then performed penance beneath the Marutha tree associated to this temple and was liberated from the curse.
The pathikam composed by Sundarar is in the 7th tirumurai. In his composition, he highlights various sacred Shiva temples known as 'Vaippu Sthalam' and also mentions other 'Thevara Paadal petra shivasthalam'. He expresses that Idayar is equivalent to all the sacred shiva temples mentioned in the pathikam.
Gopuram
2nd entrance
2 balipeetam, Nandi
Inside view of the temple
The Sacred Marutha Tree
Agatheeswarar Sannidhi
Shanmugasubramanian with his two consorts
Durgai