Thirumarugal is a small town, located 13 km East of Nannilam, Near Nagapatnam, Tamil Nadu in India.The town houses the famous and ancient Hindu Temple of Rathnagiriswarar dedicated to Shiva.
Contents |
Thirumarugal derived its name from a plantain named Marugal found inside the northern-side of the Rathnagiriswarar temple since time immemorial. The specialty of the plantain, is that it will not grow anywhere else if its branch is cut and planted. The place is also called ‘Kadalivana Kshethram’ in Sanskrit.
The Lord in this temple is known as Rathnagiriswarar. It was here that Lord Brahma and Sage Parashara did penance, the former to regain his powers and the latter to rid himself of sins. The Lingam here, which is a Swayambhu, was unearthed by King Kusakethu, the Lord's ardent devotee, and bears the scar caused by the king's spade while he was digging the earth. Apart from the two saints and Sekkizhar, saint Arunagirinathar mentions this as one of the places where Muruga's father, Lord Siva, blesses His devotees. Saint Ramalingar has also sung about this place.
Thirumarugal has been sanctified by both Appar and Gnanasambandar through 10 and 11 songs respectively. Sekkizhar, in his Periapuranam, speaks about the greatness of this place.
Legend has it that once a merchant who had seven daughters promised his nephew that he would give his eldest daughter in marriage to him. However, the merchant was greedy and later married her to someone else. He promised his nephew that he would give him his second daughter in marriage. As time went by, one by one he got his first 6 daughters married to other men of wealth. The last daughter was unhappy about her father breaking his word. One day she eloped with that young man planning to get married in another town. On their way, they stopped for the night at Thirumarugal, and that night a snake bit him and he died. The girl was in distress as she had left her parents and the man she was planning to marry was dead and she was stuck in an unfamiliar place. She was crying and lamenting and praying to Siva. Thirugnanasambandar happened to pass by on his way to the temple in the morning and heard her cries. He was moved by her plight. He went to the temple and sang the song "Sinthai ennum maal Siva ennumal" pleading to God, explaining the girl's plight. God was moved by the song and resurrected the young man and Thiruganasambandar had them married in front of Siva. Many More Historical Evens In Great THIRUMARUGAL CHETTIPEN CHETTIPILLAI KALAYANAM(marriage) VEANDUVAR KULAILI (Vanthari Vaza veaikum)
In tamil language marugal is a another representation of banana tree. Banana tree never destroyed naturally,which can regenerate by the corm(child) of that tree.