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The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is the 80th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

The temple at Tirumarugal has a 5 tier main gopuram in the east which is 68 feet in height. The gopuram on the south side is a smaller one. Temple has brick walls on the four sides and has 2 prakarams. The main shrine for Lord Shiva is at an elevated structure. This is one of the temples (Madakovil) constructed by Chola King Ko Chenkannan in such a way that it is impossible for an elephant to come near the Sivalingam. Visit Tiruvanaikaval Page to know more about this legend. Paraasara Munivar is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this Sthalam.

According to the legend, when Sambandar visited this temple, he found a young woman crying in front of the temple. When Sambandar went near her to know the reason for her crying, he found a young man lying dead. He came to know from the woman that she and the young man had decided to marry against the wishes of their parents and came to the temple to marry in front of Lord Shiva and spent the previous night inside the temple. But unfortunately before they could get married, the bridegroom died due to a snake bite. Deeply hurt by the pathetic condition of the young woman, Sambandar composed a Pathigam to Lord Shiva of this temple. To the surpirse aod joy of all, the dead young man awakened as is nothing had happened to him. The young woman and the young man got married at this Shivasthalam with god Shiva as a witness to their marriage.

It is also believed that any separated couple due to misunderstanding or for any other reason, will unite here once again if they worhsip and pray Lord Shiva at this temple. It is said that once Goddess Mahalakshmi separated from Lord Vishnu and came to the earth and stayed at this Sthalam. She worshipped Lord Shiva here and again united with Lord vishnu by marrying him at this Sthalam.

Moolavar: Ratnagiriswarar , Manicka Vannar

Amman / Thayar: Vanduvar Kuzhali

Thala Virutcham: Vazhai (Plantain) - Marugal

Theertham: Lakshmi ? Manicka Theertham

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Marugal

Tirumarugal is situated at about 14 Kms from Nannilam and about 7 Kms. from Tiruppugalur. Tirumarugal can also be reached by road from Kumbakonam by travelling on the Kumbakonam - Nagapattinam road.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy.The most important festival of the temple is the 10 day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam with procession of Lord twice each day in the morning and evening, wedding festival of a Chetty youth and a Chetty girl on the seventh day and theerthavari on the final 10th day in April-May; the second important festival being the Varalakshmi puja when Lord Varadaraja Perumal and Mother Mahalakshmi come in procession on the Kamal-Lotus vahan,

offering Theertham Prasad in Avani (August-September)

Aipasi Skanda Sashti in (October-November)

Vaikasi Visakam in (May-June)

Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. Every first day of the Tamil month is a festival day. The devotee crowd is huge these days. There will be special pujas on Deepavali in October-November, Pongal-Makar Sankranti in January and both Tamil and English New Year days.

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Sri Ratnagiriswarar Temple, Tirumarugal ? 609 702. Nagapattinam district. Contact Number - +91 4366 270 823

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.