A Wandering Heritager: Sri Mahakaleshwarar Temple / Maha Kaleswarar Temple / Irumbai Shri Maha Kaleshwar Temple, இரும்பை ஸ்ரீ மஹாகாளேஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோயில், Irumbai (Thiru Irumbai Maahalam ), Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Irumbai Mahalam mentioned in Thevara hymns now called as Irumbai. This is the 32^nd and last of the Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. There are 3 mahalam where Shiva gave darshan, of these this the center of the three ( on North – Ujjain, on South Ambar Mahalam and this is at the center ).

Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar, after worshiping Lord Shiva Chandramouleeswarar  of Thiruvakkarai, came to this temple. After worshiping Lord Sri Mahakaleshwar of Irumbai Mahalam, he proceeded to Thiruvathigai without staying here. He covered Thiruarasili Shiva temple, even-though both are close to each other, temple  after returning  from Kalahasti.

   வக்கரைப் பெருமான் தனை
       வணங்கி அங்கு அமரும் நாள் அருளாலே
   செக்கர் வேணியர் இரும்பைமா
       காளமும் சென்று தாழ்ந்து உடன்மீண்டு
   மிக்க சீர்வளர் அதிகைவீ
       ரட்டமும் மேவுவார் தன்முன்பு
   தொக்க மெய்த் திருத்தொண்டர் வந்து
       எதிர்கொளத் தொழுது எழுந்து அணைவுற்றார்

Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

   மண்டு கங்கைசடையிற் கரந்தும் மதிசூடிமான்
   கொண்ட கையாற் புரமூன்றெரித்த குழகன்னிடம்
   எண்திசையும் புகழ்போய் விளங்கும் இரும்பைதனுள்
   வண்டுகீதம் முரல்பொழில் கலாய்நின்ற மாகாளமே

Moolavar  : Sri Mahakaleshwarar, Sri Mahalanathar
Consort    : Sri Madhu Sundara Nayagi, Sri Kuyil Mozhiammai

Some of the important features of this temple are …….
The temple is facing east entrance arches on east and south side. The Temple tank is in front of the temple ie on the east side.

Moolavar is of three pieces bounded by a brass / pithalai plate. The story behind this given in the legend.( It was told that Kaduveli Siddhar’s jeeva Samadhi is inside the sanctum sanctorum ... ?). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai.
Kaduveli siddhar’s  bas-relief  is made on the brass sheets affixed on the mandapa wall, before the right side of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal sannadhi is in front of south entrance in standing posture. Natarajar sabha is near Ambal sannadhi with ma Sivakami. Lord Shiva dances in a relax mood with a little bend on the leg. Standing on place, we can have the darshan of Lord Shiva, Ambal and Natarajar.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar with 6 faces, Vayu Lingam, Hanuman, Chandikeswara, Kala Bhairavar, Chandra as Kala Chandra, holding a palm leaf, Navagrahas ( all the navagrahas are with vahana and their concerts. Surya is on the lotus pedestal in sitting posture ). Paintings of Lord Shiva dancing, Ambal, Subramaniyar, Vinayagar are also done all round the, south side entrance, Vinayagar and Subramaniyar Sannadhis.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the inscriptions this place was called as Thiruvirumbai which was under Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Oyma nadu. Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvirumbaiudayar, Thirumahalamudaya Nayanar. From the inscriptions this place was under the rule of Chozhas, Pandyas and sambuarayas. ,

Kulothunga Chozha’s ( 1207 CE ) 29^th year reign inscription starts with his meikeerthi / title, ( AR 190 of 1902 ) records the gift of lands both agricultural land 25 veli and non agricultural land 5.. veli after exempting taxes to Thirumahalamudaya... ( the inscription is incomplete and damaged in many places )

Vikrama  Pandya’s 2^nd year, 2^nd day  reign inscription ( AR 191 of 1902 ) records the endowment of pooja  for which donation of lands of both agricultural ( vilai nilam )and non agricultural ( kollai punjai ), was made to this temple Thirumahalamudayar and Thiruvarasiliudayar Alalasundara Nayanar. The lands are at Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Mathur nattu Olukarai alias Kulothunga Chozha nallur and the land was handed over to the respective temple accountants.  ( The another inscription AR 192 of 1902 mentions the same content )

Rajanarayana Sambuvarauyar’s  10^th year reign inscription ( AR 193 of 1902 ), records the gift of land to the temples of Thiruarasili and Thiruvirumbai, as irayili after exempting all types of taxes  to conduct Aadi month festival, regular poojas  and maintenance. The same was signed by Sethirayan, on 10^th day of  415. ( inscription is incomplete )

The inscription at Irumbai ( Thiruvirumbai ), Mahaleswarar Temple Vikrama Chozha’s 2^nd year reign inscription records the place Arasili, an another Thevara Paadal Petra sthalam, as “Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Mathur nattu Olukarai alias Kulothunga Chozha nallur Thiruarasili Udayar Aalala Sundaranar. As per the experts this Olukarai might have corrupted to the present name of Olunthiyapatu. The sangam literature Pathuppattu’s 3^rd Chirupanatru Chieftain and a great gifter, Nalliyakodan  belongs to Oymanadu in which Arasili was a part of it.

( See the Annual Reports on South Indian Epigraphy for the years 1902, 1937 No. 190-193, 176-178. See also the South Indian Inscriptions, Volume VII.)

LEGENDS
Two demons Amban and Ambasuran worshiped Lord Shiva and got the boon of Ma Parvati to marry them. Since Ma Parvati is the incarnation of Mahakali, Killed both demons at Ambar. Though ma Parvati, a Maha Sakthi and supreme of all, she also has got the brahmahathi dosha. To get rid of the Brahmahathi dosha ma Parvati wandered in this world and did a penance of Lord Shiva. With the grace of  Lord Shiva Parvati got rid of brahamahati dosha. Latter Maha Kalar  Maharishi installed 3 Shiva Lingas at Ujjain, Irumbai and Ambar ( near Kumbakonam ) and worshiped Lord Shiva. Hence Lord shiva is called a Mahakalanathar.

Since Ambal is also called as Kuyil Mozhiammai, devotees worship her for sweet voice and excel in fine arts. Also devotees punished due to injustice pray Lord Shiva to get back the justice.

Sri Mahakaleshwar was worshiped by Ma Parvati to get rid of the brahmahati dosha.

The legend of Kaduveli siddhar is given below with mural images made on the inner walls of the Temple complex.
The Sthala Purana of this temple connected with Moolavar crack / pieces and the Kaduveli siddhar, goes like this ......
Once Kaduveli Siddhar was in penance under a peepal tree. He used to stretch his hand to get the leaf falling from the tree for food. That was his food during the penance. Due to the penance the heat generated not allowed to rain in the area. People suffered with hunger.
When the king Kulothungan came to know about this, he announced that who ever make awake Siddhar from his penance will get the reward. So a Thasi by name Valli gave food when the siddhar stretched his hand for leaf. The Siddhar got conscious after eating the normal food.

After that, while he was watching the dance of Valli, her angelet ( Kolusu / salangai ) was untied by itself and the siddhar tied the back the same. The song is as follows

"வெல்லும் பொழுது விடுவேன் வெகுளியை
   செல்லும் பொழுது செலுத்துவேன் சிந்தையை
   அல்லும் பகலும் உன்னையே தொழுவேன்
   கல்லும் பிளந்து கழுவெளியாமே "

The people realized the power of Kaduveli Siddhar and begged to forgive them. Again siddhar sang another song and the two pieces joined together. His song to join the pieces is follows

"எட்டும் இரண்டும் அறிந்த எந்தனை
எட்டும் இரண்டும் அறிந்த உந்தனை
எட்டும் இரண்டும் ஒன்றதாகுமே "

Kaduveli Siddhar was blessed by Lord Shiva and the siddhar entered in to the jyothi of Lord Shiva.