In earlier times Irumbai village was called as Iruncheri or Iluppai since in those days a lot of Iluppai Trees were found densely grown in this area.  This Temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Kulothungan III around the 7th Century.  Even now several of the wall inscriptions of this Temple mentions Irumbai as Irunchery. This Temple is one of the 3 Temples dedicated to Lord Mahakaaleswar. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Lord Mahakaleshwarar and He is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He Blesses His Devotees along with His Consort Goddess Madhu Sundara Nayagi alias Kuyilmozhi Nayaki.  The Urchavamoorthi Vigraham found in the Moolasthanam is known as Somaskandar and Chandrasekar. This Temple is considered as Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and 32nd Paadal Petra Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Here the Presiding Deity is a Swayambumoorthi and He is split into three and has 3 faces. These three faces are linked and decorated using a copper plating. This Temple gains even more significance since the Shiva Lingam is said to have been installed and Prayed by the great Sage Maha Kaala Rishi.  It is believed that these three faces represent all three Gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Brahmma. Here Lord Vinayaka is known as Sundara Ganapathi.  Lord Natarajar along with His Consort Sivakami, Lord Murugan with six face can be seen along with His Consorts Valli and Devanai, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahmma, Durgai, Chandikeshwarar and Kalabhairavar are seen in different Sub Shrines of this Temple. On the outer peripheral there is a cemented podium on which a Shiva Lingam is kept and on top of the Shiva Lingam are a row of beads made out of Rudraksham.  Likewise an Anjaneya Swamy Idol is placed beneath a Vilva Maram or a Vilva Tree.  Sri Kaduveli Siddhar an ardent Devotee of God Maha Kaaleshwarar was closely associated with this Temple.  At one point He was rediculed and fun of by the local villagers since the Kaduveli Siddhar happened to touch the anklet os a dance girl.  Grieved with this Kaduveli Siddhar took this matter to and Prayed  before God Mahakaaleswarar who came to the rescue of His Devotee.  For the sake of Kaduveli Siddhar the Lord boke His Shiva Lingam into 3 fragments which were later joined together through Copper Platings. But somehow the Siddhar in his later distanced himself and sought asylum in some Mosque.  Remembering him there is a metallic plaque with his image etched on it and kept near the Moolavar Sannadhi. There is a Navagraha enclosure on a four pillared podium which is different from other Temples since the Navagrahams are seen here along with their Consorts as follows: Suryan with Usha & Prathiyusha, Chandran with Keerthika, Angaragan with Sakthi Devi, Budhan with Gnana Devi, Guru with Dhara Devi, Sukran with Sirugini Devi, Saneeswaran with Jeshta Devi, Raahu with Singi Devi and Kethu with Chitralekha.  The Vimanam of the Sanctum Sanctorum is built by following Ekadala Architecture. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Punnai Tree and the Theertham is known as Maakaala Theertham.  The Temple authorities have to be appreciated for keeping the Temple Sacred Tank meticulously clean.  There is a huge tiled Mandapam with a tinned roofing adjacent to the Temple where many divine function and even marriages could be conducted, since this place can easily hold upto 1000 people.  The Temple has a huge compound wall fitted with a gate.  A lot of parking space is available and the Temple staff collect a small fee for vehicles to park here. There is a general belief among the Devotees that Lord Maha Kaleswarar Blesses all those coming to this Temple and would get rid of their ailments and make their life better than before.  This Temple is very famous since Devotees afflicted with Brahmmahathi Dhosham come here and Pray before Him and it is believed that such Dhoshams would melt away very soon.  Likewise students who wish to fare well in songs, dance and other finearts come here to seek the Blessings of Kuyilmozhi Nayagi Ambal.  Festivals like Pradosham, Maha Shivarathiri, Thiru Karthigai are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: Swaminathan Gurukkal -  90034 65502, 98435 26601, Raja Gurukkal - 80981 44813 and 0413 - 2688943

Temple Timing:  7 AM to 12 Noon and 3 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Tindivanam to Irumbai is 31 Kms

Distance from Pondy to Irumbai is 8 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Irumbai is 158 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Villianur R.S

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari - 98411 40126