Thiruvidaimarudhur Mahalingaswamy Temple

Mahalingaswamy temple at Thiruvidaimarudhur near Kumbakonam is a huge temple with three praharams (circumambulatory paths).  They are ashvamedha praharam, kodumudi praharam and pranava praharam.  Ashvamedha praharam is the outermost praharam and circumambulation of this Praharam equals the benefit of performing an Ashvamedha Yagnam.  Benefits include; relief from illness caused due to seivinai (evil spirits). Kodumudi Praharam is the middle one, and circumambulation of this Praharam is equivalent to circumambulation of Mount Kailash which is the primary abode of Lord Shiva.  The innermost praharam is the Pranava Praharam or Omkara Praharam. Circumambulation of this Praharam will result in Moksham (liberation from all sufferings and pain).

Mahalingeswarar here is the main deity of the Parivara sthalams.  Parivara Sthalams are a group of temples which together form a much larger temple.  Click here to read more