Viruchiga raasi Temple / Scorpio Star Temple

Maruthavakudi Shri Airavatheswarar Temple: This temple is otherwise called Vruchika Rasi Kshetram. This is another part of Aduthurai. As I indicated in the write up on the previous temple, this place came to be called Maruthuvakudi after an Asura by name Maruthuvasuran. He was causing lot of hardships to everyone and finally, Lord Shiva destroyed him. The temple is believed to have been constructed during the period of Chembian Maadevi, the Chozha Queen ( around 10th Century). The last Kumbabishekam was performed in 2006, after a gap of around 200 years. The Temple is having a six tiered Rajagopuram. The Rice Research Institute about which I had already mentioned, is situated very close to this temple. How to Reach: The temple is easily reached from Aduthurai . Auduthurai is a small village between Mayavaram and Kumbakonam Take the road next to Aduthurai bus stand towards south, Thiruneekakudi and in 5 kms you can see the temple . similarly on the Kumbakonam Karaikal road from Kumbakonam take a left after Thiruneelakudi and in 10 kms you will reach Mel Maruthuvakudi and this temple is a prominent place here. Apart from the Main shrine of Lord Airavatheswarar, this temple is more popular for the Vinayakar shrine on the south west part of the temple. The idol of the Lord is fully covered with images of scorpion (Vruchikam) and the the trunk is shaped like a scorpion. As per Sthala Puranam, when Chandran was facing the curse of Daksha Prajapathi and losing his brightness, he came to this place and first he created a theertham ( Chandra Theertham ) and worshipped this Vinayaka. Pleased with his prayers, Vinayaka advised him to pray to the Shiva of this temple. Chandran followed the instructions and got relief. As he had done it on the Anusha star which falls in the Vruchika Rasi ( Zodiac sign ) the belief is that those who are born in Viruchika Rasi should offer prayers here and all their problems will be resolved. Hence it is well known as Viruchika Rasi Sthalam. It is also believed that when one prays in this shrine, he is cured of the after effects of any insect or snake bite. The main shrine is that of Swamy Airatvatheswarar. Once again, there is an uniqueness associated with Him. Unlike other temples where the Lingam is made of stone, here He is made of White Clay! He is believed to be a Swayambumurthy. The Nandi before the Lord is not aligned in a straight line; in stead He is slightly away. One can see the small holes/pores on His body. It is believed that when Maruthuvasuran fought with the Lord, Nandi came in between and the arrows landed on His body and hence the pores! Due to this reason, He is called Baana Nandi ( Baanam in Tamil means arrow).