Tiruvidaimaruthur Mahalingeswara Swamy Teerthavari Mandapam
There is an ancient Tiruvidaimaruthur Mahalingeswara Swamy Teerthavari Mandapam, and it is situated on the Tiruvidaimaruthur passage, near the Sacred Veera Cholan River. During ancient times, Shiva devotees used to gather in large numbers during festive occasions, at this Mandapam, since during those times, the Utsava Idols of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati of Mahalingeswara Swamy Temple would be decorated and taken to this sacred Mandapam and grand procession would take place. After the Utsava Idols reaches to this place, the idols would be taken to nearby places also, in order to make sufficient number of people to watch the divine event.
During those golden days, sumptuous food would also be provided to the devotees at this Mandapam, and the devotees would taste the divine food after chanting the mantra, “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”. All these things were happened before few centuries ago. But at present, this Mandapam looks in a deserted state, and no procession event takes place at this Mandapam. Some people make use of this place for gossiping and also for sharing some jokes with each other. I have visited this Mandapam for many times, and during that time, I used to take a big breathe and would think about the popularity of this Mandapam during the days of Chola Kings.
In Shaivite Holy Text, Tevaram, this Mandapam was mentioned as Mahalinga Mandapam, and once this place was considered equivalent to the famous Sri Mahalingeswara Swamy Temple itself!
Ancient temples and its related places must be properly preserved and it should be safeguarded by the Hindu Endowment Department, by considering these places as most sacred worship places. If any Nayanmar Saint from Kailash visits this sacred Mandapam, they would surely cry and would worry after seeing the pitiable condition of this Mandapam. Hence, let us pray to Lord Shiva to restore the significance of this Mandapam, and let him bless to make the Mahalingeswara Swamy Utsava Idols to be kept at this place during the time of festivals, in order to watch the divine beauty of those idols by the Shiva devotees!
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR