Tiruvedagam located near madurai in the northern bank of the river Vaigai is a significant Shiva temple. Due to the south to north flow of the River, this place holds great importance comparable to Kasi. It is believed that individuals who spend a day in Tiruvedagam and pray wholeheartedly will receive the blessings equivalent to a lifetime in Kasi. Notably revered sages such as Brahmma, Parasara and Vyasa have worshipped God Shiva in this temple and the Kalabhairava sannidhi within the temple is also highly revered.
Temple Legend - Koon Pandian (a paandia king with a humped back), the ruler of Madurai was a follower of Jainism while his wife Mangaiyarkkarasi was a devout worshipper of God Shiva and is considered as one of the 63 Nayanmars. Thirugnana Sambandar was invited by Mangaiyarkkarasi to Madurai. He cured the King Koon Pandiyan of a heat-related illness by applying the Thiruneeru (sacred ashes). This led to a debate between the Jains and Sambandar and both the parties decided to test their claim by throwing their scroll into the flame. The Jains' scroll burned to ashes when thrown into the flame, while Sambandar's scroll, containing 'Tirunallaru Pathigam,' remained intact. The Jain scroll was thrown into the river and drifted with the current, but Sambandar's scroll went against the flow, leading Kulachiraiyar, the minister of the Pandya king, to track its path to a specific spot on the riverbank. At this location, the Pandya king found a Shivalinga and decided to construct a temple in its honor, now known as a 'paadal petra shivasthalam' - Thiruvedagam.
Temple Layout - The temple is located on the northern side of the river Vaigai and features two distinct gopuram for each of the two sannidhis. The gateway lead to the Kambathadi mandapam which houses the Dwajasthambam, balipeetam and Nandhi on an elevated platform. Another gateway from the mandapam lead to the east facing sanctum of the presiding deity Edaganatheswarar, a Swayambhoo Linga. The prakaram surrounding the sanctum have sannidhis for the 63 Nayanmars, Sapthamathas, Vinayaka and Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbagavavar, Goddess Durga and Brahmma are the 'Gostha Murtha's on the wall surrounding the sanctum.
The Sannaidi for the female deity Edavarkuzhali is separate located to the right of the presiding deity. 'Sthala purana' suggests that the bell at the entrance of this sannidhi was brought from Malaya. A sannidhi for Chandikeshwari is in the prakaram surrounding the female deity. Notably, a stone pillar within this prakaram showcases the sculpture of Thirugnana Sambandar.
The pathigam composed by Sambandar is in the 3rd Thirumurai.
View of the Temple
Towers
Dwajasthambam, Nandi
Entrance to the sannidhi of Elavaarkuzhali
Another view
Nandi
Saptha Matha and Vinayaka
Muruga with Valli, Deivanai
Second gopuram
Prakaram - East side