MADHYAARJUNAM ...........a wealth of art on the walls
Common name - Thiruvidaimaruthur. Four Kilometers from Kumbhakonam city. Sanctified as a " Paadal Petra Sthalam" , located on South side of River Kaveri. Associated with Kulotthunga Chozhan and Varaguna Pandyan. Small town with the sprawling temple complex as its focal point. The broad, straight avenue leading from temple to the Theradi ( the chariot shed) is immortalised in a proverb as the epitome of excellence ( though now, its just another road): " Thiruvaroor ther azhagu, thiruvidaimaruthur veethi azhagu ". The huge temple complex forms the heart or garbhagriha of a "punya desa" covering nine towns each enshrining one parivaara devata ( attendent deities) usually seen in Shiva Temples. Consequently, the deity here is revered as the " Maha "-lingam. The size of the lingam is also quite "Maha". A bronze figure of the Lamp-Lady ( Vilakku Paavai ) serving the deity is a stunning creation and virtually a guide to the ...