The
present Tamil Sangarn of Madurai was established in 1901 and is still considered to be the
highest Literary Society of Tamilnad. Their approval of any literary work of an aspiring
writer of Tamilnad is the hallmark of excellence.
Inside the temple walls there is a sacred tank with golden lilies. It is said that Indra
worshipped Lord Sundareswara with the
beautiful flowers. He bathed in this tank for washing off the sin of Brahmahatya or
Brahminicide and worshipped Siva with the
lilies growing in the tank. Since then the water of the tank is considered to be very
sacred and it is believed that it can wash away even deadly sins.
Pilgrims generally bathe in the tank before going
to worship the deity. Those who do not take bath at least wash their feet and hands in it
before entering into the sacred sanctuary in the inner precincts. There are stone steps
leading to the water level and spacious corridors where the devotees perform religious
ceremonies surround the tank. Surprisingly, there are no fish and frogs in the tank.
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