Sri Edaganathar Temple is also called as Sri Elavarkuzhali Samedha Sri Edaganatheshwarar Temple and it is located in Thiruvedagam quite close to Madurai. It has been built on the banks of River Vaigai and Thiruvedagam was formerly called as Vilvaranyam. The Temple is a few metres away from the main road and there is a West facing Welcome Arch leading to the Temple. The Temple is actually East facing and has twin Rajagopurams. One is meant for Sri Edaganathar whereas the other Rajagopuram is for the Elavarkuzhali Ambal. Both these Rajagopurams are made up of 5 tiers. To begin with there are some unfinished pillars close to the main entrance. Devotees may have to climb a few steps to reach the Temple premises. There is a huge tin sheet roofing beneath which is a tall Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam mounted on a podium facing the Moolasthanam. Devotees may again have to climb a few steps and to the left is the Sub Shrine of Arulmigu Vinayagar and to the right is the Sub Shrine of Arulmigu Balasubramaniyar. On entering the Temple Usha, Prathiyusha Samedha Sri Suryan and Rohini, Karthigai Samedha Sri Chandran Idols are seen facing the Moolasthanam. At the threshold of the Sanctum Sanctorum are two huge Dwara Baalakas. To the left is a Vinayagar Idol and to the right of the Dwara Baalaga is the Idol of Sri Subramnaiyar. In the Moolasthanam Sri Edaganathar is seen East facing and in the form of a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. There is a story behind this which runs as follows: There was a debate and tussle between the Samanars / Jains and Sammandhar as a result of which Sammandhar floated his written leaflets or Edugal in the gushing waters of Vaigai. Those floated by the Samanars / Jains were either washed away or sank to the bottom of the river whereas those floated by Sammandhar drifted against the current of the river and safely landed at a particular place. This place was noticed by a horseman / Solider who immediately informed it to the King. On hearing this the King made arrangements to dig this place and excavate. Very soon the King's men found out the Swayamabhu Shiva Lingam in its full form from the Mother Earth. Hence a Temple was built around the place from where the Swayamabhu Shiva Lingam was brought out. Around the Koshtam of Sri Edaganathar are the Idols of Bala Ganapathy, Dhakshinmoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Durgai and Chandikeshwarar. In the inner peripheral there are North facing Sub Shrines for Naalvar, Saraswathi, Kasi Lingam and 63 Naayanmaars. Close to Naayanmaar Idols is an East facing Vinayagar, the Idols of Urchavamoorthys, Meikanda Sivam, Umapathy Sivam, Arulnandhi Sivam, Marai Nandhi Sivam, Siddhars, Pancha Lingams and Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar. Next to this are the South facing Idols of Sapthamathas comprising of Brahmmi, Maheswari, Goumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri and Chamundi, Irattai Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Durgai and Mahalakshmi. In the inner peripheral there is an exclusive South facing Sub Shrine of Natarajar. Apart from this there is a Sub Shrine for Kaala Bhairavar, Vallaba Ganapathy, Poornambal, Ayyanar, Pushkalambal and Sastha who are all West facing. Close to these is a Navagraha enclosure. 

The Ambal has a five tiered East facing Rajagopuram and there is a Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam facing the Moolasthanam. Devotees have to climb five or six steps to reach the Ambal's Shrine. There is yet another Neivedhya Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam in the Ambal's multi pillared Shrine. There are two Dwara Baalagis on either side. A Vinayagar and Palani Aandavar Idols flank these Dwara Baalagis. The Ambal here is known as Yelavarkuzhali or Sugantha Kundalambigai. She is East facing and in a standing posture. The Ambal of this Temple is considered to be aggressive and this is the reason as to why She has two more Dwara Baalagis in the name of Rohini and Karthigai to pacify and calm Her down. The Ambal's Shrine is made up of multiple pillars and in one of these pillar is a Vinayagar Idol known as Sevi Saitha Vinayagar. Close to this is another East facing Vinayagar and Subramaniyar who are kept wide apart. The Koshtam of the Ambal's Shrine has Idols of Iccha Sakthi, Kiriya Sakthi, Gnana Sakthi and Chandikeshwari. There is a Palliyarai in the Ambal's Shrine. The Temple has its own Madapalli and a modern Annadhana Koodam. 

This Temple is one of the 276 Padal Petra Sthalam that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and 4th Padal Petra Sthalam in Pandya Nadu. The Sthala Viruksham of the Temple is Vilva Maram and the Theertham is Vaigai River and Brahmma Theertham. The Temple authorities have to be appreciated for maintaining a lush green Nandavanam. Though there is no earmarked vehicular parking the streets in and around the Temple are wide enough to hold ample cars and other vehicles. The Edu Edhiryeriya Thiruvizha conducted during the Tamil Month of Aavani Pournami is celebrated with a lot of fanfare. Festivals like Chithirai Varuda Pirappu, Vaikasi Visakam, Natarajar Thirumanjanam, Shivarathri are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: Manicka Sundara Bhattar 90485 01761, Parasurama Bhattar 95858 64043, 99432 61487, 88258 71938, 95853 59906, Ayyappan Flower Shop 90957 56724 and 04543 259311

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 12 Noon and 4:30 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Madurai to Thiruvedagam is 20 Kms

Distance from Aruppukkottai to Thiruvedagam is 70 Kms

Distance from Paramakudi to Thiruvedagam is 95 Kms

Distance from Devakottai to Thiruvedagam is 121 Kms

Distance from Rameswaram to Thiruvedagam is 192 Kms

Distance from Tirunelveli to Thiruvedagam is 158 Kms

Distance from Tenkasi to Thiruvedagam is 159 Kms

Distance from Harikesavanallur to Thiruvedagam is 196 Kms

Distance from Sankarankoil to Thiruvedagam is 140 Kms

Distance from Dindigul to Thiruvedagam is 49 Kms

Distance from Karaikudi to Thiruvedagam is 110 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirapalli to Thiruvedagam is 157 Kms

Distance from Palani to Thiruvedagam is 107 Kms

Distance from Kulithalai to Thiruvedagam is 165 Kms

Distance from Karur to Thiruvedagam is 127 Kms

Distance from Salem to Thiruvedagam is 224 Kms

Distance from Kodumudi to Thiruvedagam is 151 Kms

Distance from Vazhapadi to Thiruvedagam is 245 Kms

Distance from Coimbatore to Thiruvedagam is 199 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Thiruvedagam is 481 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Madurai R.S.

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