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Mayiladuturai is a famous temple, which is well designed
with a beautiful tank, several Gopurams and Mandapams, located in the town
of Mayiladuturai (Mayuram). This is a temple of great religious
significance, and is a hub in the temple belt of Tamil Nadu.
Several Shivasthalams are located in the vicinity of Mayiladuturai.
Shrines In The Vicinity Of Mayiladuturai
Mayiladuturai is in the midst of several shrines with puranic
significance. The Sapta Matas are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at 7
of the temples in the vicinity including Vallalaar Kovil. Dakshinamurti's
shrine in the nearby Vallalaar (Gurumoorti - Vadhaanyeswara) Koyil is of
great significance. On the banks of the Kaveri,
near the bathing ghats is the Kasi Viswanathar temple with Vimanams along
the lines of those at Benares.
About The Temple
The temple is spread over 35,0000-sq-ft. and has 5 Prakarams, a 9 tiered
165 feet high Raja Gopuram, pillared halls with interesting sculptural
work as well as 14 Vimanams (also spelt as Vimana) with several stucco
images. Inscriptions from the Imperial Chola period are found here. The
Tiruvavaduturai Adhinam manages the temple, while the Dharumapura Adhinam
manages the Vallalar Koyil and Kaashi Vishwanathar temple.
Reconstruction Of The Temple
The temple was reconstructed with stone, during the period of Sembiyan
Mahadevi (10th century); however renovations from the 19th century have
destroyed the older structures and the inscriptions. Thankfully fine stone
sculptures of Vinayaka, Nataraja, "Shiva-Uma-Alinganamurti", "Dakshimamurti",
"Lingodbhavar", Brahma, Ganga Visarjanamurti, Durga and
Bhikshatanar from the period of "Sembiyan Mahadevi" have been
well preserved in their niches.
From available inscriptions it is inferred that the Avayambal shrine came
into existence during the period of Rajaraja Chola III (13th century).
Till then, there must only have been a "Bhogashakti" bronze
image in the sanctum of "Mayuranathar", as was the practice till
separate Ambal shrines were introduced during the reign of Kulottunga
Chola I (1075-1120).
Legend Connected With The Temple
Legend has it that Dakshayani (Parvati) took the form of a peahen after
her father's "Daksha Yagna" and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Shiva is said to have taken a peacock form, performed the "Gowri
Tandavam" and united with her here. "Mayuranathar" is
believed to have quelled the Kaveri
floods to make way for "Sambandar" and 4 of the Vallalar shrines
in the vicinity are said to be manifestations of Mayuranathar.
Interestingly, the "Tiruppariyalur Veerattam", where the
Dakshayagnam is believed to have been performed, is located at a distance
from 8 -km from this temple.
Festivities
Thousands of pilgrims converge here during the Tulaa (Libra) festival. A
noteworthy feature of the Mayuranathar temple is the daily processional
ritual to the banks of the Kaveri
throughout the monsoon month of Libra. Shiva's dance is enacted at the
Aadi Sabhai on the 7th day of the grand festival in the month of Libra.
The annual festival Brahmotsavam is observed in the Tamil month of Vaikasi
(May-June).
Rail: Mayiladuturai has a railway station.
Road: Mayiladuturai is well connected by road with Sirkazhi,
Chidambaram, Kutralam,
Nagapattinam, etc.
Accommodation is available at the economy class hotels and lodges in Kutralam (also spelt as Courtallam), Nagapattinam and Sirkazhi.