Edaganathar temple
| Edaganathar Temple | |
|---|---|
  Edaganathar Temple Location in Tamil Nadu | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 9°35′N 77°35′E / 9.59°N 77.59°ECoordinates: 9°35′N 77°35′E / 9.59°N 77.59°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Madurai |
| Location | Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Edaganathar (Shiva) |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
This Shivastalam lies on the banks of the river Vaigai in thiruvedagam, close to Madurai and is closely associated with Tirugnanasambandar. This temple is regarded as the 4th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya kingdom of Tamil Nadu.
Mythology
The legend has that Sambandar's patikam on a palm leaf (Edu) is said to have gone against the current of Vaigai and settled here, as opposed to the leaf floated by the once dominant Jains here, hence the name Tiruvedakam. 'Vaaduvenra Vinaayakar' here is said to have stopped the movement of the palm leaf in the guise of a fish, in response to Sambandar's patikam. Shiva here is believed to have been worshipped by Garuda, Adiseshan and Vishnu.
Temple structure
The present structure with spacious corridors and imposing gopurams occupies an area of about 5 acres (20,000 m2). Images related to Sambandars episode are seen carved on the stone steps leading to the Vaikai river. The presiding deity lord shiva is called as Edakanatheswarar and the Ambal his consort mother Parvathy is called as Elavaarkuzhali, Sugandha Kundalambika. The sthala vriksham is Vilvam(Aegle marmelos) and the Theertham is called Bhrama Theertham. Inscriptions from the period of Jatavarman Kulasekhara Pandyan (12th century AD), and Krishna Deva Raya are seen in this temple, speaking of their endowments to this shrine.
Poems on this temple
Sambandar composed the thevara Pathigam here. The Tiruppukazh has also mentioned this shrine.
Festivals
Sambandar's miracle here is celebrated in the form of the 'Edu Ethireriya Utsavam' in the tamil month of Vaikasi. Other festivals include Vinayaka Chaturthi, Aadi Pooram, Navaratri, Aippasi Pournami, Skanda Sashti, Kartikai Deepam, Arudra Darisanam, Tai Poosam, Maasi Magam, Panguni Uththiram and Vaikasi Visakam.
Location
This temple is located on the Madurai - cholavandan bus route. Nearest railway station is cholavandan. Town bus services from Madurai Periyar bus stand are available to Tiruvedagam. Buses to cholavandan go via Tiruvedagam and the temple is very near the Tiruvedagam bus stop.
References
http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/koil_view.php?koil_idField=50
External links
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