Virinchipuram Margabandeswarar Temple

Virinchipuram, a quaint village nestled near Chennai in South India, is home to the captivating Margabandeswarar temple, a true architectural gem. This serene sanctuary can be reached via the Chennai-Bangalore Highway, a mere 10 kilometers from Vellore city.

The temple boasts a renowned attraction known as Simha Tank or Simha Teerth, graced by a lion-faced sculpture at its entrance. This tank holds immense popularity, particularly during the last Saturdays of Karthigai in the Tamil calendar. Thousands of devoted women come here to bathe and spend the night in the temple mandaps clad in wet clothes, believing that if the deity appears in their dreams, their wishes will be granted.

The temple's eastern tower stands as a magnificent testament to its architectural grandeur, complemented by towers facing various directions. The true highlight of this spiritual haven lies in its two Kalyana Mandapas (halls) flanking the outer corridor. These mandaps are adorned with exquisitely crafted pillars and sculptures, depicting various forms of deities such as Shakthi, Shiva, Vishnu, and others. Rare sculptures like Narasimha emerging from a pillar, Narasimha vanquishing Hiranya, Vishnu with musical instruments, and more can be admired within these halls.

Legend has it that Brahma and Vishnu once engaged in a contest to locate the head and foot of Lord Shiva, respectively. While Vishnu acknowledged his inability, Brahma falsely claimed to have found Shiva's head, earning him a curse that led to his reincarnation as Shiva Sarma in a Brahmin family in Virinjipuram. Shiva Sarma's early years were marked by deception from relatives seeking the temple's priesthood rights. However, a divine intervention occurred when the Lord appeared in Shiva Sarma's mother's dream, subsequently manifesting as an elderly man. This old man conducted Shiva Sarma's upanayan, empowering him to carry out temple rituals flawlessly. Nevertheless, he couldn't perform abhishek (ritual bathing) for the tall Shiv Linga icon, causing it to tilt slightly—a characteristic that can still be observed today.

The presiding Goddess of the temple is Maragadambal. Both God and Goddess face east, each with a separate flagstaff. Historical evidence suggests that Sambuvarayan, the Chola king's representative, likely oversaw the temple's construction or renovation in 1239 CE. The striking Kalyana Mandapas may have been erected by the Bomma Nayakkars, renowned for their contributions to the Vellore Jalagandeswarar temple.

Please note that the temple was undergoing renovations during my visit in 2010 CE, limiting access to certain details about its icons. If I have the opportunity to revisit this enchanting place, I will certainly provide more information.

Happy travelling.