Thiruvanmiyur-Marundeeswarar Temple

Thiruvanmiyur Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple is one of the most prominent Paadal Petra Sthalams in South Chennai. Immortalized in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns by Saint Thirugnanasambandar and Saint Appar, this ancient temple is famous throughout India as the supreme sanctuary for divine healing, where Lord Shiva taught Sage Agastya the secrets of herbal Siddha medicine (Marundhu).

Spanning an expansive 1-acre granite complex with twin 5-tiered Rajagopurams (East & West), Chola pillared assembly halls, the sacred Vanni tree (Sthala Vriksham), and the serene Shiva Ganga Theertham tank, Thiruvanmiyur is a major pilgrimage center. Devotees visit this sacred sanctuary to pray for complete physical healing, relief from chronic illnesses, and spiritual peace.

Lord Shiva's Medical Secrets to Sage Agastya (Marundeeswarar)

According to the Sthala Puranam, Sage Agastya sought divine guidance from Lord Shiva to cure illnesses afflicted upon humanity. Lord Shiva manifested at Thiruvanmiyur beneath the Vanni tree and taught Agastya the secret medicinal properties of herbs, roots, and minerals (Marundhu in Tamil / Oushadam in Sanskrit). Because the Lord imparted the divine science of healing here, He received the titles Marundeeswarar ("The Divine Healer / Lord of Medicine") and Oushadapureeswarar. Devotees suffering from ailments offer milk for Abhishekam over the Lingam and receive sacred ash (Vibhooti) mixed with herbal powder (Marundhu Prasadam) for divine healing.

Sage Valmiki's Penance & Name Origin (Thiruvanmiyur)

Sage Valmiki, the legendary author of the epic Ramayana, performed intense penance under the Vanni tree at this shrine to seek liberation from past sins. Moved by his devotion, Lord Shiva manifested before Valmiki and granted him eternal mukthi. The town was originally named Thiru-Valmiki-Oor ("The Sacred Abode of Valmiki"), which over centuries evolved into Thiruvanmiyur. A separate shrine dedicated to Sage Valmiki stands directly across the East Coast Road opposite the main temple.

Kamadhenu's Cow-Hoof Impression

The celestial cow Kamadhenu worshipped Lord Shiva here by pouring milk over the Swayambhu Lingam. While walking in the dark, Kamadhenu accidentally stepped on the Lingam, leaving a visible cow-hoof notch mark on the upper surface of the Lingam.

This sacred shrine is enshrined in the Tevaram (2nd Thirumurai by Sambandar, 6th Thirumurai by Appar).

• Tevaram Hymn by Saint Thirugnanasambandar:

> "வண்டிரைக் கும்மலர் புன்னையுஞ் சூழ்ந்தவான் மியூர் > கண்டிரைக் கும்மருந் தீச்சரத் தேயுறை காரியனை > தொண்டிரைக் கும்மனத் தால்நினை வார்களைத் தொல்வினை > விண்டிரைக் குந்துயர் தீர்க்கும்எம் மானே." > > Translation: "Lord Marundeeswarar residing at Thiruvanmiyur surrounded by honeybee-frequented Punnai groves grants immediate relief from all ancient karmic diseases to those who meditate upon Him!"

The temple is also extolled in Sekkizhar's 12th-century Periya Puranam.

• Chola Stone Inscriptions: Over 30 stone inscriptions carved on the inner Garbhagriha walls record royal grants by Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044 CE) and Kulothunga Chola I. Grants detail endowments of wet lands for daily medical prasadam distribution and perpetual lamps.
• Vijayanagara Inscriptions: Record the 16th-century construction of the twin 5-tiered Rajagopurams.

• Cow-Hoof Scar Iconography: Physical notch mark on the upper crown of the granite Swayambhu Lingam, validating the ancient Kamadhenu legend.
• Healing Vibhooti-Marundhu Tradition: Unique temple tradition where sacred ash is consecrated with 108 herbal ingredients during special poojas.

• Six Daily Kala Poojas: Conducted as per Kamika Agamic rites: Ushathkalam (6:00 AM), Kalasanthi (8:00 AM), Uchikalam (12:00 PM), Sayarakshai (5:00 PM), Irandam Kalam (7:00 PM), and Ardha Jamam (8:30 PM).
• Herbal Prasadam Distribution: Daily distribution of consecrated Marundhu Prasadam (herbal powder with sacred ash) to sick pilgrims.
• Panguni Uthiram Brahmotsavam: Grand 10-day annual festival featuring chariot procession and float festival (Theppotsavam).

• Best Months: October to March (cooler winter climate ideal for coastal temple visits)
• Major Festivals:
• Panguni Uthiram Brahmotsavam (March–April): 10-day annual festival featuring float festival.
• Maha Shivaratri (Feb–March): Four-kala night long abhishekam and Veda parayanam.
• Navaratri Festival (Sept–Oct): 9-day celebration at Goddess Tripurasundari shrine.

• Tevaram Thirumurai Canon (2nd & 6th Thirumurai by Sambandar & Appar)
• Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar
• ASI South Indian Inscriptions (Vol. III & IX, Inscriptions of Thiruvanmiyur)
• HR&CE Devasthanam Archives, Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur