Mayuranathaswami Temple,
Mayiladuthurai – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with nine tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is about 165 feet tall. It is considered as one among the tallest in the state and is taller than the Sarangapani Perumal temple tower in Kumbakonam. This temple complex covers an area of about 3,50,000 sq. feet. This temple has five prakarams enclosed by compound walls on all sides. This temple has entrances on western, southern and northern side with Mottai Gopuram. The idol of Durga near the northern entrance of the temple is expertly sculpted and differs from those in other temples.
The temple tank, Brahma Theertham can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram on the left side. People travel in large numbers to Mayiladuthurai to bathe in this tank on the day of the new moon in the Tamil month of Aippasi (November December). This bath purifies a person of sins because the waters of the river Ganges and other Indian rivers mingle with the waters of the Kaveri River in this tank on this particular day. Kumara Kattalai Store Room can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram on the right side.
There is another three tiered inner gopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be seen in the inner prakaram, facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam, Antrala and Sanctum. There is a south facing shrine for Nataraja in the Maha Mandapam. He appears in Gauri Thandava posture. This posture is celebrated as Mayura Thandavam (Mayura means peacock). The first puja in the evening is dedicated to Lord Nataraja.
Presiding Deity is called as Mayuranathar / Gowri Mayuranathar / Gowri Thandavareesar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is known as Tridala vimana. Nardana Vinayaga, Nataraja, Mouna Dakshinamoorthy (Medha Dakshinamoorthy), Alinganamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Bikshadana, Brahma, Gangavisarjana and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Lord Dakshinamurthy appears slightly slanting on a side with his legs folded. Two peacocks and two monkeys are depicted in the banyan tree above the Lord Dakshinamurthy sculpture in the Goshta wall. There is also a Nandhi. Lord Nataraja in the koshta with Juradeva near his foot is a rare appearance. Mother Durga graces with demon Mahisha at her feet and also with two demons on both sides. This is also said to be a rare form of Durga.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. It houses idols of Shiva Chandikeswarar and Thejas Chandikeswarar. Shrines of Chandran, Mayilamman, Nalvars, Sapta Matrikas, 63 Nayanmars, Somaskanda, Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Maha Lakshmi, Ashta Lakshmi, Navagrahas and Suryan can be seen in the inner prakaram around the sanctum in clockwise direction.
Mayilamman Shrine is situated opposite to Nataraja Shrine in the inner prakaram. This shrine houses idols of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy in the form of peacock and peahen. Planet Saturn in the Navagraha shrine appears as Jwala Saturn with Agni-fire on his head. Also, a Saturn of normal form with his crow vehicle is by the side facing north performing Shiva puja. This is a very rare form of Sani planet. Those facing adverse aspect of this planet pray here to reduce its intensity.
Shrines and idols of Sattainathar, Patanjali, Vyagrapada, Sekkizhar, Gajalakshmi, Arunachaleswarar, Bhairavar, Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Yama Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Sahasrara Lingam, Brahma Lingam, Akasha Lingam and the Lingas worshipped by Moon, Indra, Sun & Vishnu can be seen in the inner prakaram. There is also a shrine for Kuthambai Siddhar in the inner prakaram. It is believed that he attained salvation here.
Mother is called as Abhayapradhambikai / Abhayambikai / Anjalanayaki / Anjalai. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. She is depicted in standing posture. She is four armed with upper two hands holding Shanka & Chakra, lower left hand is resting on her thighs and lower right hand holds a parrot. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing her shrine. Vahana Mandapam can be seen in front of her shrine.
Utsava Idol is Aadi Poora Amman. She is housed in a separate shrine in the Veera Shakti form. Her shrine is situated in the prakaram around Mother shrine. She is also brought in procession to the banks of Cauvery on Aadi Pooram day and Fridays of this month covering July-August. Palliayarai can be seen next to Aadi Poora Amman Shrine. Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Varasiddhi Vinayaga and Chandikeswari can be seen in the prakaram around her shrine.
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. There are three major shrines dedicated Vinayagar in the temple premises. Periya Vinayagar also known as Sthala Vinayagar is enshrined on the southern side of the flag mast. Agasthya Vinayagar said to have been installed and worshipped by Sage Agasthya himself. As he appeared from a sandal tree, he is also called as Agasthya Sandana Vinayaka. Kalanjia Pillaiyar (Granary Vinayagar), probably the guardian deity of the granary is enshrined near the temple granary.
The entire temple except Murugan shrine (Kumara Kattalai) is being maintained by Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam and the Murugan shrine is being maintained by Dharmapuram Adheenam. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan in the third prakaram. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Valli and Devasena. He is shown four armed with single face. Lord Muruga of this shrine is praised by saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh hymns. During the Skanda Sashti festival in Shiva temples, Lord Muruga would receive his Vel weapon from Mother Ambika. Here, he receives it from Lord Shiva.
Nadha Sharma merged with the Linga on the left side of the sanctum. This Linga is facing towards west. This Shrine is situated in the third prakaram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing this shrine. Devasthanam Office and Store Room can be found in the third prakaram between Sanctum and Mother Shrine. Yaga Salai can be seen in the north east corner of the third prakaram.
Shrines of Meenakshi Sundareswarar & Vinayaga, Madapalli and Kumara Kattalai Office can be seen in the third prakaram to the right side of Sanctum. There are also shrines for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena and Vinayaga in the third prakaram. There is a sculpture of a devotee trying to sever his head as an offering to the God on the temple wall. There is another sculpture represents Lord Shiva embracing Goddess Parvathi.
There is a separate east facing shrine for Lord Aadhi Mayuranathar in the outer prakaram. This Shrine is situated in the north east corner of the outer prakaram. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found facing his shrine. Idols of Vinayaga and Subrahmanya can be seen in this shrine. Theerthams associated with this temple are Rishaba Theertham, Agastya Theertham and Brahma Theertham.
Rishaba Theertham is the most important one. It is a big bathing ghat in the Cauvery river itself. Sthala Vriksham is Mango tree. There is a Vilva tree in this temple. The leaves of this tree have seven leaflets, instead of the usual three. The temple is running a Thevara Padasala for educating poor children on religious lines. The temple owns a big chariot and several vahanas made of silver & wood.
