The full name of the Temple is Arulmigu Vedanayagi Samedha Sri Thirumarainatha Swamy Temple and it is located the interior of Thiruvathavur near Madurai. It is believed that this Temple existed even before the 7th century and it is considered as one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Saint Manickavasagar who had earlier worked as a Minister under Varaguna Pandyan II between 862 and 885 was instrumental to building this Temple. Later the Vijayanagara Rulers had their share of hand in contributing to this Temple. Saint Manickavasagar was believed to have been born here. The Temple has a five tiered East facing Rajagopuram. There is a miniscule Idol of Ganapathy beneath the Rajagopuram facing the roadside. On entering the Temple there is a multi pillared Mandapam on the right side. Devotees may have to climb a few steps to reach here. It is said that Lord Shiva had danced in this place and had showed His Paadha Silambhu (Anklets) to Saint Manickavasagar. To the left of the pathway is the Sthala Viruksham and a podium has been built around it. The Temple maintains an excellent Nandhavanam around this area. Next to it is the Sacred Tank known as Bhairava Theertham. Beyond this is a Gopuram on which coloured Idols of Shiva and Manickavasagar are seen. On either side there is an Idol of Dwaraka Vinayagar and a Murugan. Close to this is an Idol of Adhikaara Nandhi. The Temple has a lot of multi pillared Mandapams on which the Idols are embossed making it look more appealing to the eyes of the Devotees viewing it. Even the ceiling are painted gorgeously in contrast colours. Beneath one of the pillars is a lovely Idol of Anjaneya Swamy which has been embossed so well. There is a Anayaa Vilakku, a Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram, a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam which is mounted on a podium facing the Moolasthanam. When proceeding to the Moolasthanam there is a small Well known as Kabila Theertham. Next to this is the Idol of Kabila Vinayagar and to the right is an Idol of Sri Murugan flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. A North facing Idol of Kabila Munivar is seen too. 

Devotees may have to climb a few steps to reach the Maha Mandapam which is full of multiple pillars. To the left is the Urchavamoorthy Idols of Thirumarainathar, Vedanayagi Ambal and others. A North facing Saraswathi Sannadhi is also seen here. To the right are the Idols of Chandrasekarar, Anandhavalli and Pidari Amman are seen. This place has a South facing Sub Shrines for Mahalakshmi and Natarajar with Sivagami Ambal. At the threshold of the Sanctum Sanctorum are two black Idols of the Dwara Baalagas who stand guard here. These Dwara Baalga Idols are flanked by a small Vinayagar Idol and a small Murugan Idol. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum Sri Thirumarainadhar is found in the form of a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. Around the Moolavar Koshtam are the following Idols Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingaothbhavar, Durgai Amman and Chandikeshwarar. There are pillared corridors around the Moolasthanam but most areas are kept vacant. On the rear of the Moolasthanam there are East facing Idols of Kannimoola Ganapathy, Kasi Visalakshi, Kasi Viswanathar, Naalvar, Manickavasagar and Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar. Devotees may have to climb a few steps to reach the Shrine of Natarajar. This Natarajar's Shrine is quite big and He is seen here along with His Consort Sivagami Ambal, Pathanjali Munivar and Vyakarabadhar Munivar. Next to this Shrine is the Shrine of Kaala Bhairavar who is seen South facing and in a standing posture. It is noteworthy to mention here that the Kaala Bhairavar is without His usual Vaahanam. It is believed that those Praying to this Kaala Bhairavar would be relieved of all evil designs and black magic (Pilli Sooniyam) affecting them. This Temple has a Navagraha Sannadhi and an exclusive Saneeswarar Sannadhi. 

The Ambal is known as Vedha Nayagi Ambal and there is a huge multi pillared Mandapam in which Devotees may have to climb a few steps. Facing the Ambal's Shrine is a West facing Nandhi Vaahanam. Sri Vedha Nayagi Ambal is seen East facing and in a standing posture. Instead of the usual Dwara Baalagis there is a Vinayagar Idol and a Murugan Idol to the left and right of Her Shrine and they stand guard to Her. There is a sprawing vacant area opposite to the Shrine of Vedha Nayagi Ambal. Close to the Ambal's Shrine is an East facing Shrine of Sri Kaleeswarar and Visalakshi. Close to them is a Neem Tree and it is believed that those Devotees who circumambulate Sri Kaleeswarar, Visalakshi and the Neem Tree would derive benefits equivalent to that of visiting Kasi. 

The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Magizha Maram and the Pushkaranis are as follows: Shiva Theertham, Vishnu Theertham, Brahmma Theertham, Kabila Theertham and Bhairava Theertham. Apart from these Theerthams there are Theerthams in the name of Saneeswar, Vaayu and Agni. It is believed that this Temple is a Haven for those suffering from Arthritis and Rheumatism. Those suffering from such ailments ought to apply Oil after the Abhishekam for a continous period. If done so it is widely believed that these patients are miraculously cured of their problems. The Temple has Wheel Chair facilities to go around. Infact sick and elderly could be driven and brought in through a special entrance so that they could have a peaceful Darshan or Sri Thirumarainathar. On the road leading to the Temple is the Temple's Chariot which is safely secured and kept. Festivals like Masi Brahmmothsavam, Navarathri, Aani Uthiram, Adi Pooram, Aippasi Pournami, Thiru Karthikai, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Panguni Uthiram, Vinayakar Chaturithi, Pradosham, Maha Shivarathiri are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 77087 79364, 98436 84782,0452 2344360  and Sasikala Flower Shop 84892 01271

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Manamadurai to Thiruvathavur is 46 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Thiruvathavur is 33 Kms

Distance from Devakottai to Thiruvathavur is 78 Kms

Distance from Karaikudi to Thiruvathavur is 67 Kms

Distance from Paramakudi to Thiruvathavur is 73 Kms

Distance from Rameswaram to Thiruvathavur is 170 Kms

Distance from Devipattinam to Thiruvathavur is 120 Kms

Distance from Tirunelveli to Thiruvathavur is 191 Kms

Distance from Tenkasi to Thiruvathavur is 210 Kms

Distance from Sankarankoil to Thiruvathavur is 173 Kms

Distance from Pudukkottai to Thiruvathavur is 90 Kms

Distance from Vedaranyam to Thiruvathavur is 211 Kms

Distance from Nagapattinam to Thiruvathavur is 253 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirapalli to Thiruvathavur is 117 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Thiruvathavur is 170 Kms

Distance from Kulithalai to Thiruvathavur is 123 Kms

Distance from Karur to Thiruvathavur is 162 Kms

Distance from Coimbatore to Thiruvathavur is 246 Kms

Distance from Narasingam to Thiruvathavur is 16 Kms

Distance from Tirumohur to Thiruvathavur is 13 Kms

Distance from Erode to Thiruvathavur is 227 Kms

Distance from Salem to Thiruvathavur is 225 Kms

Distance from Tiruppur to Thiruvathavur is 202 Kms

Distance from Aruppukkottai to Thiruvathavur is 77 Kms

Distance from Tiruchuli to Thiruvathavur is 65 Kms

Distance from Kancheepuram to Thiruvathavur is 385 Kms

Distance from Thiruppuvanam to Thiruvathavur is 18 Kms

Distance from Thiruvedagam to Thiruvathavur is 53 Kms

Distance from Namakkal to Thiruvathavur is 169 Kms

Distance from Rasipuram to Thiruvathavur is 198 Kms

Distance from Tiruchengode to Thiruvathavur is 217 Kms

Distance from Kodumudi to Thiruvathavur is 185 Kms

Distance from Melur to Thiruvathavur is 9 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Thiruvathavur is 441 Kms

Nearest Railway Station Madurai R.S.

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