Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Temple
This is one of the Pancha bootha sthalams in Madurai Here are some key points about the history and special features of Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Temple:
History:
Called Bhuloka Kailasam, this temple has a fascinating sthala puranam, which involves Siva worshipping Himself as a Siva Lingam that He installed! How is this possible?
Long ago, it was believed that Lord Shiva came to the earth and married Meenakshi, daughter of the king of Madurai-Malayadwaja Pandya. As a result, Lord Shiva became the ruler of the state. According to custom, a Siva puja needed to be performed by the new king and queen, and so Sundareswarar and Meenakshi came here, installed a Siva Lingam, and worshipped it. Since Siva puja is done with the deity facing east and the worshipper facing west, that is how the garbhagriham here is structured.
Since then, the lingam of Shiva has been worshipped in the form of Immayilum Nanmai Tharuva, and the temple is known as Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Shiva Parvathy Temple.
Special:
Is that in the garbhagriham, one can see and worship the east-facing Lingam, as well as the seated, west-facing murtis of Siva and Parvati as Sundareswarar and Meenakshi? Yet, the entrance to the temple is west-facing, and all of the other aspects of the temple are aligned to the norms of a west-facing temple. So, devotees actually worship Sundareswarar and Meenakshi, who face them, and they worship the rear (and not the front) of the Lingam at the same time.It is believed that the Lord showers his blessings and relieves one of all his sins, making him pure.
My Madurai
Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar TempleGallery
Nearby Attractions
