The Shiva temple in Tiruvanmiyur is notable for its remarkable architectural design. The temple complex features three primary towers, each varying in tier count. The principal seven-tiered gopuram is located on the eastern side, while a five-tiered gopuram is integrated within the complex. A second five-tiered gopuram, positioned on the western side, serves as the main entrance, conveniently located near the Tiruvanmiyur bus terminus along the east coast road. Upon entering through the eastern Rajagopuram, visitors encounter a large courtyard, with the Thyagaraja Mandap to the right and the temple tank to the left. The courtyard inturn leads to the second five-tiered gopuram, which provides access to the eastern outer prakaram, where the sannidhi of the goddess Thripurasundari is situated on the right, facing south, alongside separate sannidhis for Vinayaka and Muruga. Entering through the western gateway brings visitors to the western outer prakaram where they can view the balipeetam, dwajasthambam and Nandi. A small entrance adjacent to these features leads to the west-facing sannidhi of the presiding deity, Marundeeswarar, a 'Swayambhu Linga'.
The deity worshipped at this site is referred to as Marundeeswarar in Tamil and Aushadhanathar in Sanskrit, both translating to 'Lord of medicines,' while Paal-vanna-nathar signifies 'the one who takes the color of milk.' According to tradition, the celestial cow Kamadenu disrespected Sage Vashista, leading him to curse her to be born on Earth. Upon realizing her error, Kamadenu sought the sage's forgiveness and requested the lifting of the curse. Sage Vashista instructed her to visit Vanmiyur and pour her milk over the self-manifested Linga there, assuring her that this act would secure her redemption. Following his guidance, Kamadenu poured her milk over the Linga, which turned white, thus earning the deity the name Paal-vanna-nathar, reflecting the color of the milk. Furthermore, this sacred site is significant for its association with medicinal knowledge; Sage Agathiya, who came to worship here, received teachings directly from Lord Shiva regarding various diseases and their cures. This connection to medicinal wisdom further solidifies the deity's titles of Marundeeshwarar and Aushadanathar.
The inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum houses numerous sannidhis. Gajalakshmi, Muthu Kumara Swamy with Valli and Deivanai, Vinayaka, and the four primary nayanmars are on the west. The norther part of the inner prakaram features the 'Urchava' idols, followed by the majestic presence of Nataraja, 108 Lingas and , Kalabhairavar exuding a sense of power and protection. Kethareeshwar, Ramanatheshwar, Sundareshwar, Arunachaleshwar, and Jambukeshwar line up the eastern side of the inner prakaram. Meanwhile, the southern side of the inner prakaram is graced by the presence of all the 63 Nayanmars. The 'Goshta images' further enrich the spiritual ambiance, featuring Brahma, Goddess Durga, Mahavishnu, Dakshinamurthy, and Ganesha, each contributing to the overall sanctity and sacredness of the surroundings. Together, these shrines and idols form a tapestry of devotion and faith, inviting worshippers to immerse themselves in the divine presence that permeates the inner prahara.
The divine marriage of Shiva and Parvathy at the illustrious Kailash mountain significantly influenced the Earth's balance. The immense crowd gathered for this celestial event created a notable disturbance in the North/South equilibrium. To address this imbalance, Shiva, chose Sage Agasthya to journey southward. The sage was hesitant to depart from the captivating Kailash, fearing he would miss the sacred ceremony. Shiva reassured Agasthya and promised him that he would be able to witness the wedding from any location at any time. Tiruvanmiyur is one place where the sage saw the 'tirumana kolam' of Shiva and Parvathy as bride and groom. While there, he experienced severe stomach pain, prompting Shiva to appear and impart knowledge about medicinal remedies. This led to Shiva being revered as 'Marundeeswarar' in Tiruvanmiyur, where the planetary deities Surya and Chandra worshipped him, resulting in the absence of a shrine for the Navagrahas.
See also:- Places visited by Sage Agasthya in his journey to south - 1) Kutralam, 2) Tirupanankattur, 3) Tirukallil, 4) Tiruvotriyur, 5) Tiruverkaadu, 6) Achirupakkam
The revered 'Vanni' tree, located at the northwestern corner of the outer prakaram, is of great religious significance in this Shiva temple. According to tradition, the esteemed sage Agasthya experienced a divine vision of the celestial wedding while meditating beneath this ancient tree. Puranic texts recount that Sage Vanmeeka was instructed by Narada to come to this holy site in search of salvation. It is believed that he found the 'Swayambu Lingam' hidden beneath the Vanni tree and began to worship it with great devotion. This tree has witnessed divine occurrences, with Lord Shiva manifesting twice beneath its branches—first for Sage Agasthya and then for Sage Vanmiki. An annual ceremony celebrating Shiva's blessing of Sage Agasthya with the vision of the celestial wedding takes place under this sacred Vanni tree on the ninth day of the Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of 'Panguni.'
West gopuram
Tripurasundari sannidhi
Thyagarajar mandap
Balipeetam, dwajasthambam and Nandi
Outer prakaram - East
The sacred Vanni tree
Outer prakaram - North
East gopuram
Outer prakaram - East