Marundeeswarar Temple
An ancient Shiva temple in Thiruvanmiyur where the deity is worshipped as the divine physician, believed to cure ailments.
History
The Marundeeswarar Temple is one of Chennai's oldest temples, with origins tracing to the Chola period (9th–13th century). The name "Marundeeswarar" translates to "Lord who is the medicine," and devotees believe that worship here can cure diseases. According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared as a physician to cure the ailments of the moon god Chandra, who was suffering from a curse. The temple has Navagraha shrines and is particularly popular on Saturdays, when devotees seek relief from planetary afflictions.
Architecture
The temple displays Chola-era Dravidian architecture with a granite gopuram, ornately carved pillars in the mandapam, and stone inscriptions from the Chola dynasty. The inner sanctum houses a Shiva lingam, and there are separate shrines for Goddess Tripurasundari and Lord Ganesha. The temple tank and the surrounding agraharam (Brahmin quarter) streets preserve the old-world character of Thiruvanmiyur.
Visiting Information
Located in the heart of Thiruvanmiyur, accessible by MRTS (Thiruvanmiyur station), bus, and auto-rickshaw. The temple is especially busy on Maha Shivaratri and Saturdays. Prasadam (sacred offering) includes traditional herbal preparations.