Thiruvidaimarudur
Thiruvidaimarudur is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The town is notable for its Mahalingeshwarar Temple, a Hindu shrine for Lord Shiva.
Geography
Tiruvidaimarudur is located at. It has an average elevation of.Demographics
The 2001 Indian census recorded Thiruvidaimarudur as having a population of 13,758. Males and females each constituted 50% of the population. Thiruvidaimarudur has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. 11% of the town's population is under 6 years of age.Politics
Thiruvidaimarudur assembly constituency is part of Mayiladuturai (Lok Sabha constituency). Govi. Chezhiyan is the current MLA of Thiruvidaimaruthur assembly constituency and the current MP of Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha constituency S. Ramalingam is from Thiruvidaimaruthur.The temple
Located about north-east of the temple city of Kumbakonam and serves as one of the Taluk headquarters in the Tanjore District. The region is known for its fertile soil, allowing farmers to harvest crops three times a year. On occasion, the waters of the Cauvery River enable a fourth harvest.Tiruvidaimarudur is located on the banks of the Virasolanar River. It is home to the Mahalingeswarar Temple, where the deity Shiva is worshipped as Mahalingeswara Swami, represented by a lingam known as jothimayalingam. The goddess of the temple is Brihad Sundara Gujambal. The lingam is “believed to be the focal point for the seven consorts of Shiva.”
The temple’s Nandi, one of the largest in the district, is notable for not being carved from a single stone, which is why it does not surpass the weight of the Nandi at the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, despite being larger in size. There is also a separate sanctum for Mookambikai with a Maha Meru.
Two major temple festivals are celebrated annually at the Mahalingeswarar Temple. The first, Thaipusam, and the second, Thirukkalyana Utsavam or Vasantha Utsavam, is observed in the Tamil month of Vaigasi. Other significant festivals include the 63 Nayanmar Ula and Arudra Darisanam, similar to the celebration in Chidambaram.
The temple is also known for its 27 star lingas, the idol of the prince Ammani Ammal, and the Chitra prakaram, which is adorned with extensive paintings. Additionally, there are several charitable trusts associated with the temple, one of which is the Pachaiyappa Mudaliar Arakattalai.
Notable people
Tiruvidaimarudur is the birthplace of the Hindu Saint Pattinathar - in the medieval period - whose lyrics are renowned for realizing self in the Tamil Saiva tradition of Hinduism.It is also the birthplace of the Carnatic music flautist T. R. Mahalingam.
The family of Amar Singh, who was deposed from the throne of Thanjavur in 1798, resides here.