Sthala Purana - Kaduveli Siddhar, a devotee of God Shiva and Parvathy, was engaged in a deep penance beneath a peepal tree. During this time, the country was gripped by a severe famine due to the lack of rainfall, causing great suffering among the people. The ruler of the region, attributing the famine to Siddhar's intense penance, sent a 'Devadasi' to disrupt his meditation. The Devadasi was successful in breaking Siddhar's penance, and the king informed him of the drought and his suspicion regarding the cause. Upon learning of the people's suffering, Siddhar agreed to end his penance but continued to serve Lord Shiva. Subsequently, the country received the much-needed rainfall, and the land became fertile once again. In gratitude, the people wished to hold a festival to thank God Shiva, organizing a procession in His honor. The Devadasi, who had interrupted Siddhar's penance, led the procession with her dance, during which her anklets fell off. In an effort to prevent the temple ceremonies from being disrupted, Siddhar picked up the fallen anklets and tied them to the dancer's feet. However, onlookers ridiculed and laughed at his actions, causing Siddhar great distress. He sought solace in the sanctum and sang praises to the deity. As he continued to chant, the Shiva Linga suddenly exploded and split into three parts. The king, realizing his mistake, apologized to Siddhar, who then sang another song, causing the scattered pieces to rejoin and form a Linga once more. In order to preserve the sanctity of the Linga, the king covered it with a copper plate, and to this day, the Shiva Linga of the presiding deity Makaleshwar at Irumbai maakalam remains adorned with a copper plate.
The Significance - There are three places in India which are suffixed with 'Makalam'. One is Ujjain in the northern part of India, and another is Ambar Maakaalam in South of River Cauvery. The third is this temple at Irumbai Maakaalam in Thondai Naadu.
Two demons, Amban and Ambasuran, were granted blessings by Lord Shiva. Fueled by their newfound powers, they sought to wed Devi Parvathy. In response, Parvathy took on the form of 'Kali' and vanquished the demons in a region known as 'Ambar', situated close to Mayiladuthurai in the southern part of India. This event led to Devi Parvathy being afflicted by Brahmahatti Dosha, prompting her to embark on a journey to this very location to engage in penance. In a subsequent era, a revered sage named Maha Kaalar, while on a spiritual pilgrimage to various Shiva Temples, consecrated a Shiva Linga at Ujjain and another at Ambar. Upon reaching this sacred site, he recognized the profound significance and divine magnificence of the deity present there. Deeply moved, the sage offered worship, and the deity came to be revered as Maha-Kaaleshwar.
Temple Layout - This modest Shiva temple is spread over an area of 1 acre, with only one prakaram and is without any customary tower/Gopuram. The temple can be accessed through a gateway and to the right of it is a 'sannidhi' for Vinayaka. An altar, flagstaff and Nandi are aligned with the gateway on the inside of the temple. The presiding deity Maha-Kaaleshwar is a 'Swayambhu Linga', facing east and the female deity Kuyil-Mozhi Nayaki is facing south. In the western side of the prakaram, just behind the sanctum is Arumukha mounted on a peacock with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Near by to this sannidhi is 'Kaala Bhairavar' Sannidhi. In front of the "Ambal Sannidhi" to the left is Natraja Sannidhi. By standing here, one can have a view of all three - Swamy, Ambal and Natraja. All the planetory gods in the Navagraha Sannidhi are with their consorts. Sun god Surya is seated on a lotus with his consorts Usha and Prathyusha. Other than in the Navagraha Sannidhi, Surya and Chandra are also in the eastern part of the prakaram, facing west. 'Goshta images' include Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Goddess Durga. There is also a sannidhi for 'Anjaneya' is northern side of the prakaram.
The walls along the prakaram are illustrated with colorful sculptures and paintings. The wall before the sanctum is cladded with a glittering copper plate and we can see the copper-plated forms of Dwarapalakas and Kaduveli Sidhdhar.
Temple entrance
Altar, Flagpost and Nandhi
View from outside
Kalabhairavar
Navagraha
Illustrations on the wall
Another view of the illustrations
Copper plated facade
Paintings
Copper plated illustration of Kaduveli Sidhdhar
Way to Maakaaleswarar Sannidhi