Orathur Margasahayeswarar Temple, Chidambaram. Orathur Margasahayeswarar Temple is located few kms from Bhuvanagiri (which is believed to be the birthplace of Shri Raghavendra Swamigal) and around 15 kms west of Chidambaram. Bus service is available to reach this sacred temple. The temple is kept open from 6 to 11 am and from 5.30 to 8 pm. The contact telephone number is 096002 05958.
Pooja Timings
Kalasandhi pooja – All days
07:00 am – 09:00 am
Sayaraksha Pooja (Evening) – All days
06:00 pm – 07:00 pm
This is an ancient temple, and this temple is related with Sundaramurthy Nayanar. When Sundarar was going towards Thirumudukundram, he lost his way and he did not know the direction he had to take. He prayed to the Lord. At that time, an old man came to that side and enquired from Sundarar. Sundarar explained his predicament. The old man showed him the way to Thirukudalayatrur and gave him further directions and disappeared.
Sundarar realised that the old man was none other than the Lord Himself. He first worshipped the Lord in this temple and then proceeded to Thirukudalayatrur. Here, He is called Maragasahayeswarar, as He helped (Sahayam) by showing the Margam (way) (in Thirukudalayatrur, He is called Nerikattinathar.
The temple is on the banks of the river Vellaru. Those who face confusion in life or suffer from fear complex, must pray in this temple, and they must light ghee lamp and offer Sakkarai Pongal as Neyvedhyam to the Lord on their star birthday or on Mondays. Like the river moving ahead after making a circle, after the initial confusion, they will see a clear path ahead in their lives.
While the Lord is in the central shrine, Mother Maragathavalli is in a separate shrine. Navarathri is celebrated in a nice manner when the Mother’s procession deity is kept in a swing (oonjal utsavam) and prayers are offered. Special prayers are also offered on the Fridays of Tamil months Aadi and Thai.
Sani occupies an important position in this temple, as He does in Thirunallaru. He is in the front side of the main shrine facing east. Natarajar is in the front mandapam. The demon below this idol is slightly different from other temples. Here, he raises his head and looks at the sole of the Lord. Other deities like Siddhi Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Chandikeswarar and Navagrahams are in the temple premises.
SHIVA STUTI
I have a deep interest in Shiva Whose head is glorified by the rows of moving waves of the celestial Ganga river, Which stir in the deep well of his hair in tangled locks. Who has the brilliant fire burning on the surface of his forehead, And who has the crescent moon as a jewel on his head.
May my mind seek happiness in Lord Shiva, In whose mind all the living beings of the glorious universe exist, Who is the companion of Parvati (daughter of the mountain king), Who controls unsurpassed adversity with his compassionate gaze, which is all-pervading And who wears the Heavens as his raiment.
May I find wonderful pleasure in Lord Shiva, who is the advocate of all life, With his creeping snake with its reddish-brown hood and the shine of its gem on it Spreading variegated colours on the beautiful faces of the Goddesses of the Directions, Which is covered by a shimmering shawl made from the skin of a huge, inebriated elephant.
May Lord Shiva give us prosperity, Who has the Moon as a crown, Whose hair is bound by the red snake-garland, Whose footrest is darkened by the flow of dust from flowers Which fall from the heads of all the gods – Indra, Vishnu and others.
May we obtain the riches of the Siddhis from the tangled strands Shiva’s hair, Who devoured the God of Love with the sparks of the fire that burns on his forehead, Which is revered by all the heavenly leaders, Which is beautiful with a crescent moon.
My interest is in Lord Shiva, who has three eyes, Who offered the powerful God of Love to fire. The terrible surface of his forehead burns with the sound “Dhagad, Dhagad …” He is the only artist expert in tracing decorative lines on the tips of the breasts of Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king.
May Lord Shiva give us prosperity, The one who bears the weight of this universe, Who is enchanting with the moon, Who has the celestial river Ganga Whose neck is dark as midnight on a new moon night, covered in layers of clouds.
I pray to Lord Shiva, whose neck is bound with the brightness of the temples hanging with the glory of fully bloomed blue lotus flowers, Which look like the blackness of the universe. Who is the slayer of Manmatha, who destroyed the Tripura, Who destroyed the bonds of worldly life, who destroyed the sacrifice, Who destroyed the demon Andhaka, who is the destroyer of the elephants, And who has overwhelmed the God of death, Yama.
I pray to Lord Siva, who has bee’s flying all around because of the sweet Scent of honey coming from the beautiful bouquet of auspicious Kadamba flowers, Who is the slayer of Manmatha, who destroyed the Tripura, Who destroyed the bonds of worldly life, who destroyed the sacrifice, Who destroyed the demon Andhaka, who is the destroyer of the elephants, And who has overwhelmed the God of death, Yama.
Shiva, whose dance of Tandava is in tune with the series of loud sounds of drum making the sound “Dhimid Dhimid”, Who has fire on his great forehead, the fire that is spreading out because of the breath of the snake, wandering in whirling motions in the glorious sky. When will I be able to worship Lord Sadashiva, the eternally auspicious God, With equanimous vision towards people or emperors, Towards a blade of grass and a lotus, towards friends and enemies, Towards the most precious gem and a lump of dirt, Toward a snake or a garland and towards the varied forms of the world?
When I can be happy, living in a cave near the celestial river Ganga, Bringing my hands clasped on my head all the time, With my impure thoughts washed away, uttering the mantra of Shiva, Devoted to the God with a glorious forehead and with vibrant eyes?
Anyone who reads, remembers and recites this stotra as stated here Is purified forever and obtains devotion in the great Guru Shiva. For this devotion, there is no other way or refuge.
Just the mere thought of Shiva removes the delusion.
“OM SRI MARKASAGAYEESWARAYA NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR