Marundeeswarar Temple is a magnificent specimen of Dravidian architecture. Due to its historical prominence, it is a must-visit tourist spot in Chennai. It is believed that the temple was expanded by the Chola Kingdom in the 11th century and since the beginning, the temple has been a place of worship and offering prayers, especially for the ill and disease-ridden people. This is so because it is believed that if an ill person prays here, magically his or her illness gets healed. Even the prasadam of this temple is essentially a mix of sacred ash, water along milk. The locals have faith that this prasadam has an immense healing ability.
The Temple is sited in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the highlighting features of the temple is the presence of 275 Paadal Sthalams.
The temple is one of the most crowded places in Chennai. One can witness perpetually flocking tourists all year round. Morning hours would be highly recommended to visit the temple, though you can also visit the temple in the evening hours. However, the best time to visit Chennai is between the months of the pre-monsoon season and the winter season.
History of Marundeeswarar Temple
ECR, the road that starts from this temple was one of the most prominent routes during historical times, especially during the Chola period. It is said that during those times, the road was called Vadagaperuvazhi. It connected Thanjavur and Andhra Pradesh.
Interestingly, the origin and the antiquity of the temple can be confirmed or supported by the inscriptions found in other temples in the city. One such temple would be Kapaleeshwar Temple. It's as if the other temples testify to the historical presence of this temple.
Legend Associated with Marundeeswarar Temple
According to the legends, it is believed that Sage Valmiki used to worship Lord Shiva in the temple. And being impressed with the sadhana of Valmiki, Lord Shiva blessed him here, thus the place came to be known as Thiruvalmikiyur, also pronounced as Thiruvanmikiyur in the Tamil language. There is even a place present in Thiruvanmiyur known as Valmiki Nagar in his honor. Apart from this place, there is also a temple built commemorating the sage which is sited on the western side of the temple.
Things To Do Near Marundeeswarar Temple
1. Rukmini Devi Museum
Situated in the Kalakshetra Campus, the Rukmini Devi museum was founded by Rukmini Devi Arunadale, one of the most widely respected Indian dancers and choreographers of her time. The museum has got a wide variety of art objects which have been collected by Rukmini Devi Arundale herself from different parts of the world. This place is truly a treasure trove of handicrafts, sculptures, paintings, and household items.
2. Edward Elliot's Beach
Also known as the Besant Nagar Beach, it somewhat forms the endpoint of Marina Beach, this beach has been named after Edward Elliot, who was the Chief Magistrate of Madras. It is quite an amazing place to travel with your loved ones and make some cherishing memories.
3. Aarupadai Veedu Temple
The highlighting point of this temple is that it consists of many shrines of Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Kartikeya. It is a great tourist attraction for people who are looking for a religious place to travel to.
4. Shopping
Nearby, you can find many shopping complexes where you can purchase some souvenirs from your journey. You can easily shop for clothing to even jewelry. Apart from shopping, you can also go to spas and salons. It will help you refresh your mind and body.
How to Reach Marundeeswarar Temple
Air
To reach Marundeeswarar Temple in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is the Chennai International Airport. It is located 15-16 km from the Thiruvanimiyur area. After deboarding at the airport, you can easily get a cab and reach your destination.
Road
You can also travel here via well-maintained road networks. Depending on your location, you can choose to travel either by bus or your own vehicle. The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal is considered to be one of Asia’s largest bus stations. According to data, buses from seven connecting states have good connectivity with this place.
Train
You can also consider traveling to Chennai via trains as well. Chennai has three major railway stations namely Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, and Tambaram Railway Stations. After deboarding at one of these stations, you will need to further travel by some means of public transport like a cab.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here.
