Idumbavanam is a small village in Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk of Thiruvarur District. Sri Sarguneshwarar Temple or Sri Sargunanathar Temple is an important landmark of Idumbavanam. It is a place where Yama, the God of Death Worshipped and Prayed to Shiva to forgive Him and to get rid of the Sin of trespassing Him in trying to take away Markandeya. It is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and it has been highly praised by Thirugnana Sammandhar.

This Temple has a three tiered East facing Rajagopuram and has huge granite walls around it. There is a West facing Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam and a Nandhi Vaahanam on the roadside looking towards the Rajagopuram. The Presiding Deity is known by several names like Sri Sarguneswarar, Sri Sarguna Nathar, Sri Manakola Nathar, Sri Kalyaneswarar and Sri Idubavaneswarar. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Sargunanathar is in the form of a Shiva Lingam and is an incarnation of God Shiva. The rear wall of the Moolasthanam has a lovely Image of Shiva and Parvathy in their Kalyana Kolam and this Image is considered on par with the Shiva Lingam itself. The Koshtam of the Moolavar Sannadhi has Idols of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Brahmma and Sri Durgai. The Vimanam on top of the Moolasthanam is known as Vesara Vimanam. The Ambal here is known as Sri Mangalavalli or Sri Mangalanayaki or Sri Kalyaneshwari. The Shrine of the Ambal is South facing and She is seen in Her Shrine in a standing posture. There are Sub Shrines for Suryan, Chandran, Agasthiyar, Vinayagar, Murugan, Gajalakshmi, Idumbai, Saneeswaran, Bhairavar and Naalvar. There is an East facing Sub Shrine for Sri Thiyagarajar. The Vinayagar of this Temple draws attention due to the fact that He is made up of Sea Sponge. 

The exact origin of the Temple is still not known but some say that this Temple existed even before the 7th century. Later it was redesigned and reconstructed into a stone Temple by the Cholas and developed by the Naayakas and Nattukkottai Nagarathars. The Thanjavur Marata Rulers were much fond of this Temple and offered several gifts. It is said that Idumbam was born somewhere around this place. It is also strange that the Temple has a Sub Shrine of Idumbai who is a sister of Idumban and who was married to Bhima. The Temple's Sacred Tank or Pushkarani is located in front of the Temple's Rajagopuram. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner.

This Temple is said to drive away the Deathfear of Devotees which in Tamil is known as Yama Bayam Pokkum Kovil. This Temple is revered as a Pithru Dosha Parihaara Sthalam and hence on New Moon or Ammavasai Days several Devotees congregate here to offer Tharpanam to their Parents and Forefathers.

Contact Details: 04369 240349 and 04369 240200

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM

Distance from Thiruthuraipoondi to Idumbavanam is 18 Kms

Distance from Thiruvarur to Idumbavanam is 45 Kms

Distance from Needamangalam to Idumbavanam is 59 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Idumbavanam is 82 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Idumbavanam is 92 Kms

Distance from Poovanur to Idumbavanam is 56 Kms

Distance from Karaikal to Idumbavanam is 73 Kms

Distance from Nagapattinam to Idumbavanam is 56 Kms

Distance from Vedaranyam to Idumbavanam is 30 Kms

Distance from Pudukkottai to Idumbavanam is 115 Kms

Distance from Pattukkottai to Idumbavanam is 35 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Idumbavanam is 84 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirappalli or Trichy to Idumbavanam is 131 Kms

Distance from Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram to Idumbavanam is 85 Kms

Distance from Thiruppungur to Idumbavanam is 102 Kms

Distance from Vaitheeswarankoil to Idumbavanam is 99 Kms

Distance from Kudavasal to Idumbavanam is 67 Kms

Distance from Nannilam to Idumbavanam is 60 Kms

Distance from Srivanchiyam or Srivanjiyam to Idumbavanam is 60 Kms

Distance from Koothanallur to Idumbavanam is 43 Kms

Distance from Vilamal to Idumbavanam is 47 Kms

Distance from Orathanadu to Idumbavanam is 60 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Idumbavanam is 374 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Thiruthuraipoondi R.S.

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