Thirumeyachur Lalithambigai Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

This is one of the oldest temple of Lord Shiva. This temple came into existence even before the worship of Navagraha came into existence, so you could only find 12 Nagas for the 12 zodiac signs.

Aruna Bhagavan's Desire This temple comes into picture when Aruna Bhagavan, who drives the chariot of the Surya Bhagavan expresses his desire to have dharshan of Lord Shiva in Kailash. In reply Surya Bhagavan humiliates Aruna Bhagavan as he is paralyzed from his hip to toe. Then Aruna Bhagavan meditates towards Lord Shiva, with his strong will, Aruna Bhagavan overcomes all the disturbances and humiliation caused by Lord Surya.

Lord Shiva, as he never compromises with the humiliation happens to his ardent devotees, curses Surya Bhagavan that he will lose his tejas (light) and will be dulled. That’s when he realizes his mistake and apologize to Lord Shiva and pleads him to lift up the curse.

Lord Shiva, who says that he can’t reverse this curse, advises Surya Bhagavan to go and worship him in the Mihira Kshetram, Thirumiyachur, for seven and a half months. Surya Bhagavan then creates Surya Theertham in Thirumiyachur and worship Lord Shiva in the clouds over Thirumiyachur for seven and a half months. That’s why Lord Shiva is also known as Meghanada Swamy in this temple.

As Aruna Bhagavan’s wish gets fulfilled and Surya Bhagavan Worships Lord Shiva here, he is also named as Mihira Aruneshwarar. As Surya Bhagavan is relieved from his curse, during the Thamizh Month of Chithirai, from 21st to 27th, it so happens that the sun rays while it rises falls on the Shivalinga, making it that the Surya Bhagavan himself worshipping the deity.

Shri Lalithambigai Goddess Lalithambigai, here in the temple is blessing the world with her divine smile and as her iron throne she has this Sri Chakra. Chanting Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam in this temple is considered more special.

Specialties of the temple One specialty about this temple is that, this temple comprises of two temples (both had been sung and praised by Thirungnana Sambandar) at a same place. The one is Meghanada Swamy with his consort Lalithambigai and other is Sagala Bhuvaneshwarar with his consort Minnu Megalaiyal.

Gajaprushta Vimanam

Meghanada Swamy is a swayambhu moorthy. As Lord Shiva was worshipped by Surya Bhagavan amongst clouds on an elephant, the Vimanam aka Sanctum of the temple is built like the top of an elephant. This style of Vimanam aka Sanctum is known as Gajaprushta Vimanam and is a rare style.

The couple's Smile and Anger

Kshethra Puraneshwarar is one of the attractive sculpture work in this temple, located in the southern side of the main sanctum. While we observe this idol from one side, we see that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is smiling and from other side it looks like they are angry. This portrays a fun happenings that usually occurs between every couple as they get angry after a small fight and after sometime, they get calmed down.

We can also find Rishabaarudar, Chaturbhuja Chandikeshwarar and much more attractive deities in the outer wall of the Sanctum. We can also have the dharshan of Trinity in one place.

Messenger Parrot

Goddess Durga with eight hands and holds a parrot named “Sugapuram”, which mediates and conveys all the needs and prayers of the devotees. If devotees conveys their wish to Goddess Durga here, she will send her parrot to convey the wishes of devotees to Shri Lalithambigai from the Kodimaram which is located in front of the Goddess Lalithambigai Sanctum.

To Reach Thirumiyachur Bus: From Kumbakonam – Karaikal route buses (or) Vice versa Train: Nearest station is Peralam, just 2 kms away.

By road: From Kumbakonam it is 34 kms, located in the route which runs towards Karaikal. The temple is located 24 kms...

Arunan the charioteer of Surya Bhagavan wanted to go to Kailasam to worship Lord Shiva. Surya Bhagavan did not allow him to go. Hence Arunan took the form of a girl and was on his way to Kailasam. On the way Surya saw this girl and outraged her modesty. Lord Shiva was very angry with Surya Bhagavan for such misbehaviour and cursed him to get darkened. The whole world plunged into darkness. A repentant Surya Bhagavan pleaded for mercy and as per His advice came to Thirumeiyachur and worshiped the Lord here. Surayan is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva seated on an Elephant. To signify this you can see a Vimana (gajaprishta vimanam) in the temple resembling the back of an elephant. Even after severe penance, the Lord did not show mercy and Surya Bhagavan shouted in anguish. The Goddess was angered by this and almost cursed Surya Bhagavan, before being pacified by Lord Shiva. He said that the World was already plunged in darkness because Surya was dark and that he was only looking for relief. By His grace Surya Bhagavan attained papa vimochanam (absolution of sin).

He blessed her to be Shanta nayagi. In the outer praharam (circumambulatory path) of Shiva’s shrine there is a sculpture of kshetrapuraneswarar depicting this. Lord Shiva is seen holding the cheeks of his consort and pacifying Her. As you face this beautiful sculpture, and if you observe closely, you can see that from your left hand side there will be a smile on Her face and if you see from your right hand side you can see anger in Her face.

This sculpture may also signify that in a marital relationship, when the wife loses her temper the husband should stay calm and alert or vice versa. In a Hindu marriage, the mantra “Samaya Varte Savadhan“, is repeated by the groom after the priest. The meaning of this mantra is – Be cautious and act as per the situation. Only the groom is asked to chant this mantra because women, by nature, are generally calm and are expected to be so. Husband and wife should be the calming influence on each other for enjoying a harmonious marital life.

The angels called vasini emerged from Lalithambigai’s mouth and sung the Lalitha Sahasranamam (1000 names) in praise of the Goddess. You can find Lalitha Sahasranamam in Sanskrit at this link here. It is also available in Tamil and Latin(English) scripts. This stotra is found in the Brahmanda puranam. Hayagriva taught Agastya – his disciple – this stotra. Agastya then came here and sang the popular sloka Maatha jaya Om Lalithambigaye.

On the northern side of the praharam, you have the shrine of Sakala Bhuvaneswarar and His consort is Minnumegalaial. This is supposed to be an Ilam Kovil (temple within temple). Since there are two temples side by side, a unique feature of this temple is that you can see Shiva (present as Lingothbhavar) Vishnu and Brahma simultaneously from the North West corner of the outer prahara...

This place is enroute to Thirunallar, about 45 minutes drive from Kumbakonam. Well connected by road. This is a very powerful temple where Lalitha Sahasranama, the 1000 Divine Names of the Goddess, composed by Ashta Vaag Devis was later revealed here by Lord Hayagriva (Horse faced incarnation of Vishnu) to Sage Agastya. This Divine stotram is part of the Brahmanda Purana.

I had been here more than 10 years back and there was no one in the temple. We had to call the priest over the phone - then he came and opened the temple for darshan. We had one of the best darshans that day and offered a saree to Ambal and chanted Lalitha Sahasranamam in the Divine Presence. However, now thanks to social media, the place has gained popularity and people are flocking. This is a good indication of the Gods reviving bhakti in the common man and providing solace to the parched souls.

One should plan to spend at least an hour in the temple. It is said that spending anything more than 26 minutes inside such potent temples does a lot of good to one. There are very powerful yantras in such temples and they radiate powerful vibes which impact one positively. While in the temple, avoid chitchat and mobile browsing etc. Have a very focused prayerful mindset and you will see the results of your prayers soon.

The main temple deity is Sri Meghanatha Swami (Shiva), who is a sight to behold. The temple has a beautiful Chola architecture - the gopura vimanam of the sanctum sanctorum is designed like the back of an elephant (gaja-prushta), which is very rare. The deities in the goshtam are beautifully carved. Spend time and enjoy the architecture - don't rush through.

Goddess Durga is beautiful as ever and holds a Parrot in Her Left Hand - the Divine Parrot is believed to communicate our prayers to Durga. Spend a few minutes and chant any Durga shloka here and pray to Her.

Lalithambika is the Presiding Goddess of the temple and is as beautiful as the Devi can get. She wears an anklet on Her Left Foot, which is a special devotee experience one should read/listen about online. Prayers are answered when one visits the temple. The abhishekam is beautiful to watch. You can silently chant any Devi shloka or Lalitha sahasranama when you are in Her Presence.

Dovotees must light pure cow ghee lamps here in the temple. It is believed that cow ghee lamps lit in such potent temples bestows one with all the goodness & ward off the malefic effects of the navagrahas. Our prayers are answered when we light pure cow ghee lamps in such places.

Beware of the cow ghee lamps sold in most temples - they may not be real ghee at all. One should use only edible...