Friday, December 23, 2016

Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Legends

Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Legends

Mayuranathar:

As per legend, Daksha, father of Mother Sati conducted a Yajna but intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva to humiliate him. It is said that Daksha Yajna was performed at nearby Thiruppariyalur. Lord Shiva instructed Sati not to attend the Yajna. However, Sati attended the Yajna to correct her father despite being invited and disobeying the words of Lord Shiva. She was humiliated by Daksha.

This enraged Lord Shiva who sent Veeerabadhra and Kali to desecrate the sacrifice conducted by Daksha. While the Yaga was being desecrated by Veerabhadra and Kali, a peahen used for the rituals got injured and sought asylum at the feet of Mother Sati. As she ignored the advice of Lord Shiva, She was cursed to become a peahen. Later, when Sati repented, Lord Shiva reduced this sentence.

Mother Parvathi had to pray first at Mylapore and then at Mayiladuthurai for the entire month of Aippasi to reunite with him. Sati repented for not obeying the instructions of Lord Shiva. To wash off this sin, she entered the sacrificial fire. She took birth as a peahen came to this place. She performed severe penance to get back her Lord.

When Uma Devi performed penance in the form of a peahen, she consumed the leaves of the Mango Tree. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva took the form of a peacock and danced with his divine consort Uma Devi. This divine dance is known as Gowri Thandavam (Mayura Thandavam). It is believed that the divine couple performed the dance on 25th day of Aippasi. She was restored back to her original form.

As Lord came here as a peacock (Mayura / Mayil), he came to be called as Mayuranathar and the place came to be called as Mayiladuthurai. It is also said that the Lord Shiva convened a great assembly called Mahasabha here and married Uma Devi on 27th day of Aippasi month. In memory of the above event, Theerthavari is performed on all the 30 days in Aippasi, quite a unique feature. Also, all the devas who attended Daksha Yajna worshipped Lord Shiva here and got liberated from their sins.

Thula Snana:

Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi were quite dirty and ugly as people took bath in these rivers to wash off their sins. These three rivers approached Sage Kanva Rishi in Kasi. He advised these rivers to visit Mayiladuthurai during Aippasi (Thula) month for relief. As advised, they visited Mayiladuthurai, took bath (Thula Snana) in Cauvery and got relief from their sins. Also, they regained their beauty. Hence, it is considered auspicious to take bath at Cauvery here during the month of Aippasi. Especially, the last day of Aippasi, called Kadaimugam is considered the most sacred day to take bath here and get moksha.

Mudavan Muzhukku:

Nadha Sharma and his wife Anavidyambikai were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. They desired to merge themselves with the feet of Lord Siva. To realise their desire, they undertook a pilgrimage visiting several Shiva temples and finally reached Mayiladuthurai for the Cauvery bath (Thula Snanam) during the Kadaimugam but by the time they arrived it was too late.

They sadly stayed at the night on the banks of the Cauvery worshipping Lord Shiva. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in their dream and said he will extend the sacred period to the next day and asked them to take bath before the sunrise. Further, Lord Shiva assured that they would have full benefit of the Tula Snanam bath. 

Hence, the first day of Karthigai month before sunrise is called Mudavan Muzhukku and is considered as holy as Kadaimugam. Based on this, the practice of this bath continues even now on the first day of Karthikai month. As Lord Shiva froze the bath time for his devotee couple, this bath is called Mudavan Muzhukku (Mudakku means freezing & Muzhukku in Tamil means bath).

Finally, the couple merged with the Lord Shiva. Nadha Sharma merged with the Linga on the left side of the sanctum. This Linga is facing towards west. Anavidyambikai merged with the Linga on the right side of the Mother shrine. This Linga is dressed in Red Sari only. It also indicates the oneness of male and female.

It is customary for all devotees who visit this temple to offer worship first at the shrines of Nadha Sharma Lingam and Anavidyambikai Lingam before offering worship to the Lord Mayuranathar. It is believed that without worshipping these Lingas, they cannot please Lord Mayuranathar and get their prayers fulfilled.

Rishaba Theertham:

Once, Lord Shiva decided to visit Mayiladuthurai along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Nandi (Rishaba), mount of Lord Shiva, in an arrogant display of high speed rushed a long way ahead leaving behind Garuda and Anna Vahana. Also, he  felt proud that he was above all as he was carrying Lord Shiva on his back. The Lord coming to know of it, wanted to teach him a lesson. He just placed a strand from the matted hair of his head on Rishaba.

Unable to bear its weight, Rishaba felt crushed and immediately realized his mistake. He prostrated before the Lord Shiva and sought his pardon. Lord Shiva not only pardoned him but also initiated him into the mysterious divine wisdom. Hence, when the Lord Shiva took the form of Guru Bhagawan, Rishaba was permitted to serve as his mount. The Lord made Nandi to stay at Mayiladuthurai, in the middle of the Cauvery.

He also directed that Ganga and other rivers should flow into Cauvery on New moon day in the Tamil month of Aipasi. Hence, the river at this particular place spot came to be known as Rishaba Theertham. It is also called as Thula Ghat, where devotees flock in large numbers to take their holy bath and perform darpan to their deceased ancestors in the month of Aippasi (i.e. October-November).

It is popularly said that a pot of water taken from this Theertham on this auspicious day can be preserved for any number of years without the water getting spoiled. Thousands of orthodox Hindus take their bath at this Rishaba Theertham during Thula Masam and also on the first day of Karthigai month.

Thurai Kaattum Vallal:

Thiru Gnana Sambandar wanted to visit Mayuranathar Temple at Mayiladuthurai after worshipping Lord Shiva at Tiruvilanagar on the northern banks of Cauvery but the floods in the Cauvery river did not allow him to cross over to the southern side. Thiru Gnana Sambandar sung praise of Lord Shiva of Tiruvilanagar to provide access to Mayiladuthurai. Pleased with his hymns, Lord Shiva ordered Cauvery River to make way for the Nayanmar. Finally, Thiru Gnana Sambandar was able to cross the river, worshipped Lord Shiva and sang hymns in praise of Lord Mayuranathar. Thus, Lord Shiva of Tiruvilanagar came to be called as Thurai Kaattum Vallal.

Abhayambikai Bhattar:

Around 300 year ago, a boy named Krishnaswamy lived in a devotional family in Nallathukudi near Mayiladuthurai. One day, he was alone with no food. His mind was in all praise of Abhayambikai of Mayiladuthurai Mayuranathaswami Temple. Mother in the guise of an ordinary woman, brought food in golden bowl and fed it to Krishnaswamy. Due to the feeding from Mother, the boy was blessed with wisdom, education and expertise in poetry.

From then on, Krishnaswamy used to visit Mayiladuthurai from Nallathukudi early in the morning and volunteer at the Mayuranathar temple and return to Nallathukudi after completing the Arthajama Puja. One day, while Krishnaswamy was returning to Nallathukudi after completing the Arthajama Puja, he hit a stone in the darkness and fell down. He appealed to Mother Abhayambikai and requested her to guide him with some light to his village.

To his surprise, Mother Abhayambikai appeared before him carrying a torch in her hand and guided him to his village. He was mesmerized and praised the mother for the affection shown on him. From that day onwards, after the Arthajama Puja every day, a lantern appeared in front of Krishnaswamy guiding him to his house in Nallathukudi.

The villagers were astonished to see the floating lantern which is guiding Krishnaswamy to his house every day. One day Krishnaswamy was worshiping Mother in front of her shrine in the temple. Suddenly, he heard a divine voice instructing him to compose hundred songs in Tamil called Satakam in praise of Mother Abhayambikai. Further, the voice declared whoever worship her with the songs composed by Krishnaswamy will be blessed.

Krishnaswamy was in doubt about his capability in composing the songs and raised his incompetency to Mother. Mother blessed him with ability to compose songs. Subramaniyam became Abhirami Bhattar after he composed Abhirami Andhathi on Thirukadaiyur Abhirami Amman. Similarly, Krishnaswamy became Abhayambikai Bhattar after he composed Abhayambikai Satakam on Abhayambikai of Mayiladuthurai.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Mother Parvathy, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma, Indra, Saraswathy, Saptha Matrikas, Dharma, Brihaspati, Sage AgastyaManmatha, Devas, Ganga, Yamuna and even animals & birds such as cat, parrot, wolf, elephant and horse have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Lord Muruga visit to Mayiladuthurai:

Lord Muruga visited Mayiladuthurai to invoke the blessings of Lord Mayuranathar and moved from Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvidaikazhi near Thiru Kadaiyur.

Puranic References:

Skantha Purana, Shiva Purana, Brahmanda Purana and Chidambara Purana extols the greatness of Mayiladuthurai and glorify the presence of Cauvery.

Girivalam:

There are about 16 lingams at this temple. Going around the temple for 16 times is equivalent to undertaking a Giri Valam.

Creation of Mayiladuthurai by Lord Brahma:

It is considered that Mayiladuthurai was itself created by Lord Brahma who worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Lord Dakshinamoorthy gave Upadesa to Rishaba Deva:

As per legend, it is believed that Lord Dakshinamoorthy gave Upadesa to Rishaba Deva in this place in yoga posture.

Other Names:

Mayiladuthurai was called as Sikandipuram, Brahmavanam, Sudavanam, Thenmayilai and Brahmapuram.