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The temple is praised by Saint Tirugnana Sambandar in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 27th Shiva temple in Thondainadu region praised in Thevaram hymns. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy shining as emerald.

Three trees, Vilwa, Neem (Vembu) and Banyan are touching close together believed to represent Lord Shiva, Mother Ambica and Lord Vinayaka. Worshipping the trees will ensure unity in family and those separated will have a reunion. The tank from where Lord Shiva disappeared still exists. There are shrines for Varasiddhi Vinayaka, Lord Brahmmandeswarar and Mother Brahmmandeswari.

In days of yore, the region was a jungle dense with Vilwa trees. Of the many cows grazing here, one did not yield sufficient milk as expected. The shepherd observed the cows movements and found it pouring its milk among thick bushes. He informed the people of the village. They cleared the bush and found a Maragatha Swayambu Linga. They understood that Ambica was the cow giving the wisdom milk. They built the temple here, naming Lord Gnanapureeswarar and Mother Govardhanambikai. As the cow poured milk by itself on God, the place came to be known as Thiru Idaichuram, and Goddess is called asGovardhanaambigai (In Sanskrit Go means cow). It is also said that this place got its name as this village is surrounded by hills. In Thamizh, the place between hills is called Churam.

Generally, we see Mother Ambica with Her feet close together. Here, Ambica has one foot backward and one forward as if a in walking posture.

Lord Shiva once set out to help child saint Tirugnanasambandar who was tired then. When Ambica too joined Him, Lord asked Her to be back as any child would recognize the Mother who fed it. He will easily recognize both. Lord simply wanted to go alone. As Ambica was ready to accompany the Lord, She is seen ready to go walking with Lord, it is described. Those with disfigured legs pray to Ambica.

Saint Tirugnanasambandar, during his pilgrimage to Shiva temples felt terribly hungry and tired while passing through this place. As it was noon time, Sun too was hot. He sat under a tree for rest. A shepherd wearing a loin cloth and holding a small stick came to the place. He offered a pot of curd to Sambandar to quench his hunger and asked him who he was. Sambandar told the shepherd that He was visiting Shiva temples. The boy told the saint that there was Shiva in that place too and compelled him to sing His praise. Sambandar had his own doubt about the shepherd as He was very handsome. Saint followed the boy who stopped near a tank, smiled and disappeared. Lord Shiva granted darshan as a shepherd. The pond in which Sambandhar took bath is still seen in this village, a little away from the temple. The Lord here is also said to have been worshipped by an ancient sage called Gowthama Rishi.

Lord came to the saint on his way and left on the way Idai in Tamil. Hence, Lord is praised as Idai Suranathar. Sambandar sang a Pathigam 10 verses in praise of Lord.

Moolavar : Gnanapureeswarar, Idaisura Nathar

Urchavar : Chandrasekharar

Amman / Thayar : Imayamadakodi, Govaradhnambikai

Thala Virutcham : Vilwa

Theertham : Madhura Theertham

Agamam / Pooja : Shivagama

Pathigam : Sambandar

Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Tiru Idaisuram

City : Tiruvadishoolam

Thiru Idaichuram is located about 60 kmsfrom Chennai. It lies on the road connecting Chengalpattu and Thirupporur. Thiru Idaichuram can either be accessed from Thirupporur at about 18 kms or from Chengalpattu at about 9 kms. There is an arch on the main road indicating the path to the temple. This village is presently called as Thiruvadisoolam.

This Shivastalam in Tondainaadu is located in the vicinity of Chingleput, enroute to Tirupporur. This is the 27th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India. Legend has it that Gowtama muni and Sanaka offered worship here. A shiny and transparent Maragatha Shiva Lingam occupies the Sanctum here.

Since the location of the temple is present inbetween (idai) the hills and since Easwaran came in the form of a Edayar and blessed the place is called as idai easwaram.

The main deity Sri Gnanapureeswarar is seen facing east from a small, beautiful sanctum. The deity is made of Maragatha (dark green) stone with a square aavudai facing east. It is said that the actual color and the glow of this Maragatha Lingam will clearly be visible when Then Abishegam (Honey Abishegam) is performed to the deity. Lord Shiva is blessing us as a swambu murthy from this temple.

Beautiful inner praharam is styled withAhazhi surrounding the sanctum. The inner praham has a separate shirine for mother Govaradhnambikai. Here, Govaradhnambikai has one foot backward and one forward as if a in walking posture. The shrines for the Nalvar, Ganapathy, Lord Subramanyar with his consorts, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bairavar, Dwara Ganapathy MuthukumaraSwamy and Sun God are housed in the inner praharam. Lord Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, Maha Vishnu Durga are present as Koshta moorthies.

The temple looks ancient and sobre amidst the serene atmosphere. The raja gopuram for the temple has been recently constructed. The rajagopuram is a five tier gopuram as seen in above. There are shrines for Varasiddhi Vinayaka, Lord Brahmmandeswarar and Mother
Brahmmandeswari in the outer praharam. The temple is facing south. The temple plates describe the work of Kulothunga Cholan.

The vilvam present inside the temple near the gopuram is unique with 11 leaves. 11 faced Vilvam is an important aspect of the sthala viruksham. The three trees Neem, Vilvam and Arasu are bound together and is present near the east enterance.

Chitra poornima in April-May

Wedding festival along with Panguni Uthiram in March-April

Bangle festival (Valaikappu) for Mother on Aadi Pooram in July-August , Kartikai Deepam and Arudra Darisanam are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Devotees pray here for cure from diseases and for a good looking appearance. Those facing delays in wedding proposals and concerned with the welfare of children pray to the sacred tree offering vastras and yellow thread.

Devotees pray here for good education and wisdom.

Devotees offer abishek to Lord with honey.

The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Sri Gnanapureeswarar Temple, Tiruvadishoolam-603 108 (Tiru Idaisuram), Chengalpat. Contact number +91- 44 - 2742 0485, 94445 - 23890

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.