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Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur
Shiva (Marundeeswarar) • Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
Marundeeswarar Temple at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai is a Dravidian Shiva temple where the lord is worshipped as Marundeeswarar, the lord of medicines. Tradition says the sages Agastya and Markandeya prayed here for healing, and devotees still come seeking relief from illness. One of the Tevaram-sung shrines, it has a tall gopuram, a large tank, and the goddess Tripurasundari.
The lord of medicines
At Thiruvanmiyur, Shiva bears the name Marundeeswarar, the lord of medicines — marundu meaning medicine in Tamil. The temple is sought out for healing, with devotees praying to the lord for relief from illness and for good health.
This association with healing gives the shrine its particular character among the Shiva temples of Chennai. The name itself draws those who turn to the deity in matters of the body, making the temple a place of prayer for the unwell and their families.
The sages Agastya and Markandeya
Temple tradition holds that the sages Agastya and Markandeya worshipped Shiva here in search of healing, lending the shrine its long association with medicine and recovery. The presence of these revered rishis in its lore deepens the temple’s standing as a place of cure.
Following them, generations of devotees have continued to pray here for relief from ailments. The belief in the lord’s healing grace remains central to why people come, carrying their concerns for health to Marundeeswarar.
A Tevaram-sung Dravidian temple
Marundeeswarar is a Padal Petra Sthalam, one of the shrines sung in the Tevaram hymns of the Nayanar saints, which places it within the revered geography of Tamil Shaiva worship. Being celebrated in those hymns marks it as a temple of recognised sanctity in the tradition.
Architecturally it follows the Dravidian style, with a tall gopuram rising over the entrance and a large temple tank serving ritual needs. The presiding goddess is Tripurasundari, worshipped alongside Marundeeswarar.
- Dravidian Shiva temple at Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai
- Shiva worshipped as Marundeeswarar, the lord of medicines
- Sages Agastya and Markandeya said to have worshipped here
- A Tevaram-sung shrine (Padal Petra Sthalam)
- Tall gopuram, large tank; goddess Tripurasundari
Worship and visiting
Devotees come throughout the year to pray for health and well-being, and the temple’s reputation for healing keeps it busy with worshippers from across Chennai. Its seaside neighbourhood of Thiruvanmiyur makes it an accessible and well-known landmark in the city’s south.
Shiva festivals, above all Mahashivratri, and the temple’s own annual celebrations following the Tamil calendar draw the largest gatherings, when the gopuram and tank become the focus of crowds of devotees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Marundeeswarar Temple located?
Marundeeswarar Temple is at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the south of the city near the coast. It is a well-known Dravidian Shiva temple of the area.
Why is Shiva called Marundeeswarar here?
The name Marundeeswarar means the lord of medicines, from the Tamil marundu for medicine. The temple is associated with healing, and devotees pray to the lord for relief from illness.
Which sages are linked to Marundeeswarar Temple?
Tradition holds that the sages Agastya and Markandeya worshipped Shiva here in search of healing. Their association reinforces the temple’s long-standing reputation as a place of cure.
Is Marundeeswarar Temple a Tevaram shrine?
Yes. It is a Padal Petra Sthalam, one of the shrines sung in the Tevaram hymns of the Nayanar saints, which places it among the revered Shiva temples of the Tamil Shaiva tradition.
Who is the goddess at Marundeeswarar Temple?
The presiding goddess is Tripurasundari, worshipped alongside Marundeeswarar. The temple also has a tall gopuram and a large tank in the Dravidian style.
Why do devotees visit Marundeeswarar Temple?
Many come to pray for health and relief from illness, drawn by the temple’s name and its long association with healing. Mahashivratri and the annual festivals following the Tamil calendar bring the largest gatherings.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Shiva (Marundeeswarar) |
| Meaning | Lord of medicines |
| Location | Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Goddess | Tripurasundari |
| Sages | Agastya, Markandeya |
| Status | Tevaram-sung Padal Petra Sthalam |
| Architecture | Dravidian, with gopuram and tank |
| Major Festivals | Mahashivratri, annual Tamil-calendar festivals |