Marundeeswarar Temple (மருந்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில்) (also called Idayatrunathar Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in T. Edaiyar, a village in Viluppuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Marundeeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Balambigai. The temple is located on the Southern banks of Thenpennai River on the Thirukoilur - Thiruvennainallur road. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple complex covers an area of one acre and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Marundeeswarar and his consort Gnanambigai being the most prominent. The temple has three daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. Thayar Aaratu festival during the Tamil month of Thai (January - February) is the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Legend and history As per Hindu legend, sage Sukhabrahmma was overhearing the Sivarahasya, the secret that Shiva was telling his wife Parvathi in Kailasa. Shiva cursed the sage for the offence. The sage prayed to Shiva to propitiate his sins - Shiva was pleased by the devotion and gave him a boon that he would be born as sage Vyasa in his next birth. It is believed that sage Vyasa resided in this place and worshipped Shiva to relieve off his curse. As per another legend, sage Agastya installed and worshipped a Linga, which is called Agastya Linga. Another legend indicates that Somaskanda depiction is usually indicated with child Skanda (Muruga) depicted between Shiva and Parvathi. This temple has Bala Vinayaga in place of Skanda in the Somaskanda image. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the 16th century. There are inscriptions from later Chola emperors like Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014), Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120) and Rajendra Chola III (1246–1279). There are inscriptions