Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur

Tiruvidaimarudur
The gateway tower of the temple
Tiruvidaimarudur Location in Tamil Nadu
Geography
Coordinates	10°59′40″N 79°27′01″E / 10.99444°N 79.45028°E / 10.99444; 79.45028Coordinates: 10°59′40″N 79°27′01″E / 10.99444°N 79.45028°E / 10.99444; 79.45028
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Thanjavur
Location	Tiruvidaimarudur
Culture
Primary deity	Mahalingaswamy(Shiva)
Consort	Pirguchuntaragujambigai(Parvathi)
Temple tank	Kaveri, Karunya and Amirta Theertam
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture

Mahalingeswaraswamy Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur (மகாலிங்கேஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருவிடைமருதூர்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tiruvidaimaruthur, a village in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the seven major Shiva temples. Shiva is worshiped as Mahalingeswaraswamy, and is represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Jothimayalingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Pirguchuntaragujambigai. The lingam of the temple is believed to be the focal point for the seven consorts of Shiva. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The 9th century Saiva saint poet Manikkavasagar has sung praise about the temple in his works.

There are 149 inscriptions associated with the temple indicating contributions from Pandyas, Cholas, Thanjavur Nayaks and Thanjavur Maratha kingdom. The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century.

The temple complex is one of the largest in state and it houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mahalingeswaraswamy, Pirguchuntaragujambigai and Mookambigai being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls and three precincts; the most notable is the second precinct built during the Vijayanagar period that has many sculptures. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple is maintained and administered by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a South Indian monastic institution.