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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Aiyarappar Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Legends

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.