Manikandeswarar temple, Tirumarperu
Location: Tirumarperu (better known as Tirumalpur)
Deity known as: Manikandeswarar, Maalvanangeeswarar
Female Deity: Anjanakshi, Karunai Nayaki
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 4, Sambandar - 2
Gallery - Manikandeswarar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is 21 Kms from Kancheepuram on the Kancheepuram - Arakkonam route. Bus facilities are available from both Kancheepuram and Arakkonam.
Temple Address
Tirumalpur
Tirumalpur Post
Arakkonam Taluk
Vellore District
PIN 631503
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Tiruvallam - 50 kms | |
| 2 | Tiruvooral (Takkolam) - 18 kms |
Temple Legend - Mahavishnu's Worship
Battle with Sage Dutheechi
Once, Mahavishnu, acting on behalf of King Kuban, engaged in battle with Sage Dutheechi. The Sage’s body was so exceptionally powerful that, upon impact, the edges of Mahavishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra shattered.
Worship with 1000 Lotuses
Seeking another chakra from Shiva—one that had earlier vanquished the demon Chalandra—Mahavishnu began worshipping the Shiva Linga at this sacred site, once revered by Devi Parvathy. As part of his penance, he offered a thousand lotuses to the Shiva Linga each day.
Test of Devotion
To test Mahavishnu’s devotion, Shiva concealed one of the lotus flowers. Realizing that his offering was one short, Mahavishnu, in an extraordinary act of sacrifice and devotion, plucked out his own eye to replace the missing flower.
Divine Grace
Moved by this profound display of devotion, Shiva manifested before Mahavishnu and bestowed upon him His Chakra. As a result, the sacred site where Mahavishnu performed his worship came to be known as Tirumarperu, later referred to as Tirumalpur. The same legend is also associated with Tiruveezhimalai.
Urchava Idol
This narrative is further illustrated by the Utsava idol of Mahavishnu, shown standing with a lotus in one hand and His eye in the other.
Devi Parvathy's Penance
Cosmic Darkness
In a whimsical moment, Devi Parvathy gently covered the eyes of Shiva, plunging the entire universe into stillness and shrouding it in darkness.
Sacred Worship
Acknowledging her mistake, she descended to Earth and established a Shiva Linga for her worship, crafted from sand along the banks of the Vrudhaksheera River, also referred to as 'Paalaru,' located to the north of the temple site.
Sand Linga Protection
Owing to its sandy composition, the Shiva Linga is first encased in a copper-plated protective covering before any ritual anointing is performed.
Temple Layout and Architecture
Temple Complex
This Shiva temple spans an expansive area of about 1.2 acres and is distinguished by its imposing five-tiered east-facing gopuram. The complex is enclosed by sturdy perimeter walls and comprises two concentric prakarams. Adjacent to the temple lies the sacred water body known as Chakra Theertham, which adds to the spiritual significance of the site.
Main Entrance Features
The dwajasthambam, balipeetam, and Nandi are aligned along the temple’s central axis facing the entrance. An inner gateway leads to the east-facing sannidhi of the main deity. Opposite the presiding deity, Nandikeshwar and Senthaamarai Kanna Perumal stand with folded hands in a posture of deep reverence.
Peripheral Sannidhis
The inner prakaram houses additional sannidhis dedicated to Vinayaka, Chidambareshwar, Somaskandar, Subramanya, Chandikeshwarar, Nataraja, and Gajalakshmi.
Annabishekam Ritual
As the main deity is represented by a sand-made linga, the ritual of Annabishekam—the ceremonial anointing with rice—is performed instead for Chidambareshwarar. This sacred observance takes place during the Tamil month of Ippasi.
Sanctum Architecture and Deities
Guardian Deities
Vallabha Vinayaka and Shanmukha serve as the guardians at the entrance to the sanctum, with Vallabha Vinayaka uniquely depicted with ten arms. Directly opposite the main deity’s sanctum stands the sannidhi of Mahavishnu, portrayed in a Namaskara posture with folded hands. This shrine is crowned with an ornate vimanam, and Nandi is positioned reverentially in front of it.
Mandapam Sculptures
Upon entering the sanctum, one encounters a mandapam supported by intricately carved pillars, adorned with sculptural representations of various deities and revered figures. These include Dakshinamurthy, Surya, Mahavishnu, Balasubramanyar, Appar, Sundarar, Tirugnanasambandhar, Vinayaka, Muruga, Brahma with his four faces, Devi worshipping Shiva beneath a Vilva tree, Kalinganarthanam, Kamadhenu, Bhairavar, and Veerabhadrar.
Goshta Murthas
The walls surrounding the sanctum are adorned with goshta murthis of Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Goddess Durga, the latter being depicted with eight arms and holding the conch and chakra.
Sacred Tradition
Following the Deepa Aradhana of Mahavishnu, the traditional observance of placing the Sadari upon the devotee’s head is performed.
Pathikam and Literary Heritage
Sacred Hymns
Six Pathikams have been composed in praise of this deity, of which two are attributed to Tirugnanasambandhar and four to Tirunavukkarasar (Appar). The revered Periya Purana, authored by Sekkizhar, records that Sundarar visited this temple. Regrettably, the Pathikam composed by Sundarar in honour of this deity remains undiscovered and undocumented.
Map connecting Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvirkolam, Elambayankottur, Thakkolam and Tirumarperu.
Gallery - Manikandeswarar Temple
