Thiruvidaimarudur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thiruvidaimarudur
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| Nickname(s):
Idavai
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 Thiruvidaimarudur
Location in Tamil Nadu
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| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Thanjavur |
| Elevation | 20 m (70 ft) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 13,758 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
612104
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| Telephone code | 0435 |
| Vehicle registration | TN.68 |
Thiruvidaimarudur (also called Tiruvidaimarudur) is a small town in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, a state in India. This town is famous for its ancient Mahalingeshwarar Temple. This Hindu temple is a special place of worship for Lord Shiva.
Contents
Geography and Location
Thiruvidaimarudur is located at 10°59′N 79°28′E / 10.98°N 79.47°E. It sits about 20 meters (66 feet) above sea level. The town is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) northeast of Kumbakonam, which is known as a temple city. Thiruvidaimarudur is also a main administrative center in the Tanjore District.
Farming and Rivers
The land around Thiruvidaimarudur is very fertile. This means farmers can grow crops easily. They often harvest crops three times a year. Sometimes, if there is enough water from the Cauvery River, they can even have a fourth harvest. The town is also located near the Virasolanar River.
People and Population
In 2001, a survey counted the people living in Thiruvidaimarudur. The population was 13,758. The number of males and females was almost equal, with 50% being male and 50% female.
Education in Thiruvidaimarudur
The town has a good literacy rate, which means many people can read and write. About 74% of the people in Thiruvidaimarudur are literate. This is higher than the average for all of India, which was 59.5% at that time. For males, 80% can read and write, and for females, 68% can. About 11% of the town's population is under 6 years old.
The Mahalingeswarar Temple
The Mahalingeswarar Temple is a very important place in Thiruvidaimarudur. In this temple, the god Shiva is worshipped as Mahalingeswara Swami. This name means "the great lord of the lingam." The special symbol of Shiva here is called jothimayalingam, which means "lingam of radiant light." The goddess of the temple is Brihad Sundara Gujambal. People believe that the lingam is a central point for Shiva's seven consorts (goddesses).
Temple Features
The temple has a very large statue of Nandi, which is Shiva's sacred bull. This Nandi is one of the biggest in the district. It is special because it was not carved from a single stone. This is why it does not weigh more than the Nandi at the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, even though it looks bigger.
There is also a separate small temple area, called a sannidhi, for the goddess Mookambikai. This area includes a Maha Meru, which is a sacred symbol shaped like a mountain. The temple is also known for its 27 star lingas. These are special symbols connected to different stars. You can also find an idol of Prince Ammani Ammal here.
Temple Art and Support
The temple has a Chitra prakaram, which is a painted area or courtyard. This area is decorated with many beautiful paintings. There are also several groups that help support the temple through charity. One of these is the Pachaiyappa Mudaliar Arakattalai.
Temple Festivals
Two main festivals are celebrated every year at the Mahalingeswarar Temple.
- Thaipusam: This festival happens during the Tamil month of Thai (January–February).
- Thirukkalyana Utsavam: This means "divine wedding festival." It is also called Vasantha Utsavam, which means "spring festival." This is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaigasi (May).
Other important festivals include the 63 Nayanmar Ula, which is a procession honoring 63 holy saints who worshipped Shiva. Another festival is Arudra Darisanam, which is a sacred viewing of Lord Shiva. This is similar to a celebration held in Chidambaram.
Famous People from Thiruvidaimarudur
Thiruvidaimarudur is the birthplace of some notable people.
- Saint Pattinathar: He was a Hindu saint from the medieval period. His poems are well-known in the Tamil Saiva tradition of Hinduism. They talk about understanding oneself.
- T. R. Mahalingam: He was a famous Carnatic music flautist, meaning he played the flute in a classical Indian style.
- Amar Singh: The family of Amar Singh lives here. He was a ruler of Thanjavur but was removed from his position in 1798.
See also
In Spanish: Thiruvidaimarudur para niños
