Aiyarappar Temple,
Mayiladuthurai – Legends
Nadha Sharma and his wife Anavidyambikai were ardent
devotees of Lord Shiva. They worship Aiyarappar
of Thiruvaiyaru three times a
day. They desired to merge themselves with the feet of Lord Siva. To realise
their desire, they undertook a pilgrimage visiting several Shiva temples. They
reached Thiruvaiyaru
and performed morning pooja to Lord Shiva. They decided to visit Mayiladuthurai
for the Cauvery bath (Thula Snanam) during the Kadaimugam and return to Thiruvaiyaru
by night. By the time they arrived it was too late.
They sadly stayed at the night on the banks of the
Cauvery worshipping Lord Shiva and expressed their inability to perform Tula
Snanam and their inability to return to Thiruvaiyaru
for night pooja. 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). Further, Lord Shiva consoled them not to worry in missing their
night pooja at Thiruvaiyaru.
Lord Shiva stated that he had manifested in the form of
Aiyarappar in the
temple to west of Mayuranathar
Temple. The couples happily went to the temple and worshipped Lord
Shiva. The
temple worshipped by the couples is the Mayiladuthurai
Aiyarappar Temple. Finally, the couple merged with the Lord Shiva in
Mayiladuthurai
Mayuranathar Temple. 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.
