ஏடகநாதர் திருக்கோயில் திருவேடகம்
This is an ancient Sivasthalam near Madurai. Situated 20 km or a 30 minute drive northwest of Madurai, it is the 248th Paadal Petra Sthalam and the 4th in the Pandian country. Originally built by Pandian kings, the current masonry structure is mostly 16th century Nayakkan. It is a relatively small temple and is in a state of mild disrepair and needs better maintenance. There is an interesting story about this temple. During the early 7th century, Madurai was ruled by King Arikesari Maravarman or Koon Pandian as he had a hunchback. He was an ardent follower of the Jain faith. The queen, the Chola princess Mangayarkarasiyaar was a strong Saivite. She enlisted the help of Thirugnanasampanthar to convert the king to Saivism. So a debate was arranged between the Jain monks and Sampanthar at this site. Sampanthar wrote the first verse of his pathikam - "Vaalga Anthanar..." on a palm leaf or Edu and threw it into the River Vaigai and the Jain monks wrote some lines from their scriptures and did the same. The Jain leafs were washed away while Sampanthar's leaf reached the other bank and the king was convinced to change his faith and became the saint Nindraseer Nedumaran.
It was a bit dark when we reached this temple and I could not take good pictures. Those who are interested in Saivite history should visit this temple for the historical significance, It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam. It might not be very interesting to others.
We visited in August 2019. We were based in Madurai.
Credits: Google Maps
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