Tirumeeyachur Ilamkovil Sakalabhuvaneswarar Temple a Hindu temple situated at Thirumeeyachur in Tiruvarur, the directing god is Shiva. He is called as Sakalabhuvaneswarar. His consort is known as Mekalambika. Tirumeeyachur is one kilometre from Peralam near Mayiladuthurai. Bus facility is available to Peralam from Mayiladurai.Saint Tirunavukkarasar has praised the temple in his Thevaram. Adored with golden Kondrai flowers and garland the new moon glittering on the long hair Accompanied by radiant Mother Mekalambika My Lord will not leave Meeyachur temple.
Shrine’s History
Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. Mother Lalithambika is seated on the Srichakra throne with Her Abhaya, Varada hastha Mudras, placing her right leg on the left majestically. Ambika is very powerful. The main tower-Rajagopuram has five tiers and the second 3 tiers. There are two corridors prakaras. The Lalithambika shrine is on the right at the entrance. Ratha Vinayaka is in the main hall while Nagar, Sekkizhar, the Lingas worshipped by Sapthamadhas and Lingas worshipped by Agni, Yama and Indira are in the inner corridor-prakara. Lord Sakalabhuvaneswarar graces in the form of Swaymbu Linga. Those chanting the Lalitha Sahasranama and Lalitha Navaratnamala is gifted with the grace of the Mother.
This is the place where Garuda, Aruna the charioteer of Sun, the monkey brothers Vali and Sukriva, Yama the God of Death, Saturn planet were born. Devotees perform Ayush Homa and Mrutynjay Homa and offer rice made with Pirandai placed on the lotus leaf to Lord as an offering Shiva for longevity and to conquer Yama. This is the place where Sun worshipped for relief from a curse that made him dark in colour and got back His golden appearance. Mother Kali also worshipped here. Many of us know that Aruna is the charioteer of Sun. His story lies in Tirumeeyachur. Sage Kashyapa had two wives, Vinatha and Karthru. Both prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Shiva gave two eggs to them. Of Vinathas egg, Garuda was born. As nothing came out of the egg of Karthru, in haste, she broke the egg and found a deformed child. She begged to Lord Shiva for her hasty act. Lord was all merciful and told her that the child would be charioteer of Suns ratha drawn by 7 while horses and the dawn of the day would be called Arunodaya after his name Aruna.
Aruna was a staunch Shiva devotee and performed penance to have His darshan. Sun mocked at him saying that how a person with deformities can perform penance. Yet Aruna did not lose heart and continued the penance. While gracing Aruna, Lord Shiva cursed Sun for ridiculing Aruna. Sun lost his radiance and made amends by worshipping Shiva and Mother placing them on an elephant. Representing this story, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is in the Gajabrushta form. Shiva graces in the name of Meganatha here. There are three Kalasas (pots) on the Vimana. As Sun regained his radiance, the place is known as Meeyachur.
Pirandai rice nivedhana some type of conches is born in the sea once in 100 years having the power to ensure longevity. Lord Yama gathered 1008 such conches and performed Abhishek to Lord Shiva. Yama is the authority for Sadaya star. He prepared rice nivedhana with a creeper called Pirandai to Lord Meganatha. The devotees can enjoy the darshan of Brahmma, Lingodhbhava (Shiva) and Vishnu standing in between the two towers. Lord Chandikeswara appears with four faces. Kshetrapuraneswarar idol is beautifully sculpted. Mother looks angry if viewed from the right and graceful if viewed from the left.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
Demon Pandasura was harassing the Devas in the celestial world. They prayed to Mother Parasakthi to protect them from the Demon. Goddess appeared from the Yagna fire with Her Srichakra Chariot with the name Lalithambika. She was too furious after killing the demon. Lord Shiva advised Devi to go to Earth as Sripuravasini and perform penance to quell Her fury. Mother Lalithambika came to this place, performed penance and became calm and graceful. She created Vachinya and other angels of words and asked them to chant her 1000 names. This is how Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam with the beginning “Sri Mathre” came into being. Lord Shiva is a Swayambulingmurthy. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord from 21 to 27 in the month of Chithirai when special pujas are performed in the temple. The sculpture of Sri Kshetrapuraneswarar is the attraction in the temple. Mother Goddess appears both furious and graceful when viewed from different angles.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Tirumeeyachur is one kilometre from Peralam near Mayiladuthurai. Bus facility is available to Peralam from Mayiladurai.
By Rail
The closest railway station is in Mayiladuthurai
By Air
The closest airport is in Trichy.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Rathasapthami in the Month of Thai is an important festival in the temple. This festival signs the turning of Suns Ratha (car) marking the beginning of Utharayana period from the month of Thai towards North from the South. Utharayana covers six months beginning from Thai to Aani month (June-July). All festivals related to Lord Shiva and Mother Ambika are celebrated in the temple in a grand manner.