Mahalingaswami, Mangudi, Thanjavur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Mahalingaswami	Ambal / Thayar:	Kasturi Amman
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	– to – & – to –	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Mangudi	District:	Thanjavur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Kumbakonam (10 km)	Mayiladuthurai (29 km)
	Tiruvarur (35 km)	Thanjavur (51 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This small village temple near Poundarikapuram is located about 5 km east of Tirunageswaram.

There is no known sthala puranam for this temple. However, based on our conversation with the villagers here, it appears that this temple may be connected to the Tiruvidaimaruthur Mahalingeswarar temple, which is located 5 km to the north of this place.

The structural temple here currently is of very recent origin, apparently built mainly by the local villagers, along with support from some of their families who have moved to larger towns and cities.

However, going by the look and age of the Siva lingam and the Amman vigrahams here, the original temple must have been quite old, and suggestive that this could have been a much larger temple back in the day.

The temple faces east, and there are only two shrines here. The moolavar shrine is the only complete shrine; the Amman shrine was under construction at the time of our visit.

The main shrine comprises an ardha mandapam and garbhagriham. Inside the ardha mandapam are a bali peetham and Nandi, and a south-facing vigraham of Kasturi Amman, the Lord’s consort here. Flanking the garbhagriham’s entrance are the older lingams of the temple, one of which is damaged.

As we come around the temple, all the koshtams are empty, except for a beautifully crafted Dakshinamurti vigraham.

The villagers take great pride in this temple and its maintenance. The temple does not have a wall or gates, so it is possible to visit at any time. If the main shrine is closed – which is unlikely – the villagers can open it for visitors.

The temple Gurukkal lives in Tirunageswaram, and visits this place once a day in the mornings.

Karthik: 98431 26011, 73394 75603