Thiru Vrinjipuram, Margabandeeswarar Temple.



The temple is about 12 kms distance west of Vellore Town. The temple was built by Chola Kings in 13th Century.







The main Raja Gopuram is of seven tiers and five prakarams.







As we enter inside there is another Gopuram. We see Dwajasthambam.








Nandi is seen in front of the Dwajasthambam facing main deity.







Sthala Vruksham is Palm (Panai) Tree. Something unique about the palm fruits, of this tree here. It is black in a year and it is white in the following year.







Teertham is Simha pushkarani seen in the prakaram.




Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Margabandeeswarar / Vazhi Thunai Nadhar and his consort known as Maragadambikai. The Siva Lingam is slightly leaning to North East direction. During the month of March / April sun rays falls on Siva Lingam.








Other deities seen in the temple as we go around areEramba Ganapathy, Subramanyar, Chandra Mowleeswarar, Pancha Mukha Lingam, Saptha Madhar, Lakshmi , Saraswathy, Durgai, Bairavar and Navagraham.







Natarajar sanctum








Sculpture seen in the roof.



In Thiruvannamalai, Brahma uttered lie to Lingothbavar having seen Lord Siva’s head. Kewda (thazhambu) was witness for Brahma’s word. Lord Siva did not reveal himself to Brahma. As a parihara for this act Brahma was born to a priest named Sivasarma. After the death of priest Brahma was in charge of the temple as a priest and he worshiped Lord Siva in this place. The word Virinjan denotes Brahma hence the place is known as Virinji puram.



Once a pepper merchant was escorted by Lord Siva, hence Lord is known as Vazhi Thunai Nadhar here in this temple.



Sthala Purana says Lord Brahma as a small boy was unable to perform abishekam, so Lord Siva has inclined his head for Brahma to perform abishekam. Brahma was unable to see the head of Lord in Thiruvannamalai, but he was able to see the head in Virinjipuram.








There are beautiful sculptures to pillars in the temple.



Brahma, Parvathy, Thirumaal, and Karan worshiped Lord Siva and were blessed by Him.



This is the birth place of Appaya Deekishedar. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. Pattinathar and Appaya Deekshedar have rendered songs on Lord Siva of this temple



There are stone inscriptions in the temple.