Arulmigu Sri Pandi Muneeswaran Temple — Attraction in Madurai

The Arulmigu Sri Pandi Muneeswarar Temple, popularly known as Pandi Kovil, is a revered and ancient temple located in the Melamadai area of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It's considered a powerful deity and draws devotees from various faiths, including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.

History and Legend The temple's origins are steeped in local legend, dating back about 200 years. It's believed that the main deity, Pandi Muneeswarar, is an incarnation of Pandyan King Nedunchezhiyan.

According to the legend, a couple named Valliammal and Periyasamy, traveling from Karur to Madurai, stopped at Melamadai for the night. In Valliammal's dream, a sage with a long beard appeared and revealed himself as Pandyan Nedunchezhiyan. He explained that he was meditating eight feet deep in the earth as penance for the injustice he inflicted upon Kovalan, Kannagi's husband (from the epic Silappatikaram). He promised to protect and bless their family if they worshipped him. Startled, Valliammal told her husband, and they unearthed the idol, building a temple on the spot. Valliammal's community continues to worship and maintain the temple to this day.

Significance and Beliefs The Pandi Muneeswarar Temple is highly regarded for its association with divine justice, blessings for childbirth, and protection from life's problems. Many devotees testify to miraculous events, including:

Childbirth: Childless couples are said to have been blessed with children after praying here. Resolved Court Cases: There are stories of legal victories, even up to the Supreme Court, attributed to the deity's grace. Protection and Blessings: People believe that Pandi Muneeswarar never forsakes those who truly believe in him and offers protection. Unlike other guardian deities, Pandi Muneeswarar is depicted sitting in a Padmasana (yogic) posture, facing East. He is considered a vegetarian god, and offerings to him primarily consist of fruits and flowers.

Offerings and Practices While Pandi Muneeswarar receives vegetarian offerings, a prominent practice at the temple involves Samaya Karuppasamy, a sub-deity. On Sundays, a significant number of goats and cocks are sacrificed to Samaya Karuppasamy as a form of offering, and devotees often host large feasts for their relatives. It's also common for devotees to offer liquor and cigars to this deity.

Other common offerings and practices include:

Tonsuring: Many devotees perform the first tonsuring (head shaving) of their children here, considering it a precious offering. Pots and Bells: These are offered for blessings related to childbirth. Panchamritham: A sweet concoction of five ingredients (milk, honey, ghee, tender coconut, etc.) is also offered. Location and Timings The temple is located in the Melamadai area of Madurai, about 3 km from the Mattuthavani Bus Stand, on the road towards Sivaganga.

While specific daily timings can vary slightly, generally, the temple is open for darshan during:

Morning Hours: Approximately 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM Evening Hours: Approximately 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM There is usually a closure period in the afternoon, from around 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

The Arulmigu Sri Pandi Muneeswarar Temple stands as a testament to deep faith and holds a significant place in the spiritual...

Pandi Kovil Temple in Karuppayurani, Madurai is one of the top Temples in Karuppayurani, Madurai.  Madurai Pandi temple is located at Madurai. From Madurai Mattuthavani bus stand this temple is just 2 kms. There are surplus busses to Pandi Temple from Madurai Mattuthavani. Madurai railway station has connectivity throughout India. There are trains to all major states in India. Pandi Muneeswarar is a vegetarian god, so only fruits and flowers are offered to Him. Some pious devotees name their children and grandchildren starting with the Lord’s name (pandi ). The people belonging to Pandi temple, do the first tonsuring here to their children and also do ear boring. Tonsuring is considered to be one of the most precious offering to god, it is a kind of offering their beauty to God. So many devotees do tonsuring at this temple. There is yet another god named Samaya Karuppar inside this shrine, people sacrifice goat and cock to this God, devotees also offer liquor, cigar and opium. Pandi Muneeswarar temple is found crowded on all days, devotees perform one or other ceremonies throughout the year, specific among them is Maha Shiva Rathiri, on this day thousands of devotees gather at this temple and pray to the god all night. Then before commencing any functions at the house first salutation is done to Pandi Muneeswarar. Even the first marriage invitation is kept in the feet of Lord Pandi. There are more than 450 Mahals in this temple soundings. Usually Monday, Wednesday,  Friday, and Sundays are very crowded and difficult to get a mahal on these days. You can get a mahal from 3000 to 35000 budget for your family function.  👌 NICE. I noticed that all days are the...

Pandi kovil: Pandi kovil was located in Madurai, the main lord of this temple "pandi muniswarar" he was the savior(Kaaval theivam) of Madurai. The lord pandi was actually an ancient ruler of Madurai who related with the Tamil epic "Silapathikaram". People worship the lord for their wellness. History : Two hundred years ago a group of people immigrated to Madurai from near karur (a small town in India ) and they tented on a place which is today's pandi kovil. An old couple named valliammal and periasamy was also in the group, in the night valliammal had a dream. In that dream, a long beared saint appeared and said that he was the ancient ruler Pandiya Neduncheliyan who gave misjudgment to kovalan. For that i was born again a human, i always did thavam(a kind of meditation or yoga) and prayed the lord Shiva. The lord accepts my prayers and i surrendered his feet and this place once my palace . Dig here, my idol is there in eight feet depth and built a temple for me. I will save you and your group from all your problems, then he disappeared . Valliammal awakened and told about her dream to everyone, they dig the place and found the idol of pandi muniswar and built a temple there and worshiped him. Their successors are still taking care...