Chennai Attractions

Marundeeswarar Temple, God of Medicines, in Tiruvanmiyur has the temple deity Shiva in the form of Marundeeswar or Aushadeeswarar. Mythology says that it was Agastya, great saint, who named the deity "Aushadeeswarar". The Sun and the Moon, it is said, perform puja at this temple every evening. Unlike other Siva temples, this temple does not have a shrine to the Navagrahas because the Sun and Moon are in prayer mode here. The main "lingam" is described as Swayambu. He is also called "Palvannanathan" because Kamadhenu, the divine cow, used to shower him with milk constantly.

During the festival period the deity will be taken on procession in the middle of the day. The chariot, a high one, with the deity and the priests standing at least 6 or 7 feet above the crowd, and devotees use two long ropes pulls the deity around the temple. Lots of devotees visit this holy temple and get the blessing of Lord Shiva. Those who visit this temple sincerely believe, as do the priests, that the mixture of sacred ash, milk and water offered at the temple and consumed thereafter can cure any ailment. A steady crowd is observed in this temple now a day.