History of the place

While churning the milk ocean, the Mandhara hill used as the stick (mathu) began to sink. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kachaba (tortoise) to bring it up. HE came to this place, created a spring, bathed and prayed to Lord Shiva in the endeavour. Hence the name Kachabeswarar and the place as Thirukachur. The Mother here is called Anjanatchi as She protects her devotees as Her own eyes and is facing South. The Lord staged His Ajaba dance here as Thiagaraja for Lord Vishnu. Marundeeswarar Temple : Indira the king of Devas suffered from severe disease due to a curse. Celestial physicians -Ashwini Devas could not cure him. On the advice of Maharish Narada , they prayed to Lord Shiva and Mother here to find the herbs. Though the Lord showed the herbals (Pala and Athipala), as the place was dark, Mother spread light on the herbs for them to find . Hence, She is praised as Irul Neekia Ambal.

Saints who worshiped

Sundarar. Arunagirnathar. This is the 259th Devara Sthalam.

Speciality of this temple

This is a twin temple, one at hill top and other at the foot. The Lord is swayambumurthy, facing west under the Gajabrushta vimana. Saint Sundarar and his team reached this place after a long journey and hence were very tired and hungry. The Lord as a old man assured them of food and went out with His bowl (Thiru Oodu) and gathered food, fed His devotees and disappeared as soon as they finished eating. with Sundarar. "Irandha" in Tamil means begging, hence Lord is named Irandeeswarar and Virundhu Itta Easwarar (Virundhu means hospitality). No entrance at both the sanctorums. Lord Marundeeswarar graces from the hill temple while Lord Irandeeswarar and Virundeeswarar grace from the foot hill temple. Three Lords represents the three eyes of Lord Shiva. There are no shrine for Navagrahas here.

Pariharam

Devotees pray to the Lord for disease cure, and pray to Mother seeking good vision, relief from planetary doshas and all life benefits. Those aspiring excellence in arts pray to Lord Thalamoola Vinayaka.

Pariharam Procedure

Devotees perform abishekam to Lord and Mother and offer vastras and nivedhanas. Farmers spray the sand from the temple in their fields for good yields as the sand is medicinal in nature. Women light ghee lamps for family welfare and prosperity. Devotees perform honey abishekam on Mondays to the Lord.