This is a oldest Shiva temple aged 1000 to 2000 years. Here Shivalinga is facing west. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi are behind the Linga. The place is praised as Kailash(Heaven) on Earth.
Special pujas are dedicated to Lord Bhairava in the temple on new moon fortnight Ashtami (eighth day after full moon), Karthika Shamba Sasti in November-December and Margazhi Ashtami days. Sri Veerabadra in this shrine is facing west. A strong Puliyodharai (Tamarind rice) prepared with rice and chillies in 1:3 ratio respectively is offered as nivedhana to Lord Bhairva. Lord Siddhi Vinayaka graces the devotees in the temple.
While we have the Darshan of Lord Shiva, Shivalinga from the front side, we have the darshan from the rear in this temple. According to rules, Shiva Puja should be performed by sitting westward. Lord Shiva along with Mother is performing the Linga Puja this way, hence the devotees have the rear side darshan.
When the coronation festival is celebrated in Sri Meenakshmi Amman Temple in the city, Lord and Mother visit this temple first. They are placed facing the sanctum sanctorum. Pujas and Deepa Aradhana are offered to Lords Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar, Lord Meenakshi Sundareswarar and Mother Meenakshi simultaneously. It is said that Lord Shiva Himself is performing this puja.
Mother Madhyapuri Nayaki graces from a separate shrine. As the temple is at the centre (Madhya) of Madurai city, She is so named. She is also praised as Mangalya Vara Prasadini as those praying to Her for timely marriage, are blessed with happy matches. Mother Madhyapuri Nayaki appears in a standing posture on a lotus designed peeta. The peeta is adored with a Sri Chakra carved in stone. Generally, Sri Chakra is drawn on copper sheets and installed in temples. This is a difference in this temple.
Lord Lingodhbava is under a Bodhi tree (Arasa Maram in Tamil) behind Mother Madhyapuri Nayaki shrine. Virgins facing delays in marriage worship here with milk abishek to Lord Lingodhbava, offering a skirt, mangal sutra, turmeric and kumkum seeking a good match for them.
Lord Shiva wedded Mother Meenakshi, daughter of Malayadwaja Pandya. He took charge as the king of Madurai then. As a rule, Shiva Puaja should be performed before assuming any responsible and high positions. Hence, He installed a Linga and performed the puja. Based on this event, Lord Shiva – Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar-appears in worshipping posture. Though generally it is believed that reliefs for the sins committed in this birth will come only in following births, it is granted in this birth itself by Lord Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar.
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