Arulmigu Idamkondeswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple which is located at Kalyanapuram, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, and this temple is situated just one kilometre far away from my residence. I have visited this wonderful ancient Shiva temple on 30.08.2022, and I am planning to visit it regularly. Here Lord Shiva is known as “IDAMKONDESWARAR”, and Ma Shakti Devi is known as “SUNDARA GUJAMBIGAI”.
Though the temple is small in size, but the deities present in this temple, seems to be very powerful. This temple was believed to have been built by the Chola Kings, approximately before 1000 years.
Apart from the main shrines, shrines of Navagraha, shrines of the Four popular Shaivite Saints, Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manickavasagar, Gajalakshmi, Sage Kashyapa, Daksha, Dakshina Moorthy, Durgamma, Vishnu and few other deities are also present in this temple. There is also a wonderful painting present in this temple wall, in which, we can see the rare posture of Ma Parvati, who can be seen playing the divine drum, DAMARU, which is normally played only by Lord Shiva.
The chief deity, Sri Idamkondeswarar situated at this temple Kalyanapuram, is believed to be the main deity of the Tiruvidaimaruthur temple, but since he gave a place for Lord Mahalingeswarar to dwell in the Tiruvidaimaruthur temple, hence Lord Shiva in this temple is called as Idam-Kondeswarar, the one who gives way to others. He also gives a suitable shelter to the homeless people, and due to that, we can also call him as “IDAM KUDUKUMESWARAR”. The temple is as popular as Sri Malligarjuna Temple of Srisailam, since this temple is also called as Madhyarjuna Lingeswara Temple.
The significance of this temple is glorified by Appar in his Shaivite Holy Text, Thevaram. Sage Kashyapa had once decided to perform severe meditation on Lord Shiva in order to get the divine vision of Siva and Parvati’s excellent celestial wedding. As per the information given by the divine voice in the sky, sage Kashyapa came to the present place of the Idamkondeswarar Temple, performed meditation on Lord Shiva, and due to that, he was able to get the divine vision of the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati. As per the request of the sage, Lord Siva has dwelled in this place in the form of Lingam. Since Siva and Parvati appeared in their wedding form, this place came to be known as Kalyanapuram, and Lord Shiva in this temple is also called as “SRI KALYANAESWARAR”. Unmarried people are advised to visit this famous Shiva Temple, in order to get married soon.
“OM SRI KALYANAESWARAR NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR