Azhagiya Nadhar Temple, Sozhampettai, Mayiladuthurai

Azhagiya Nadhar Temple, Sozhampettai, Mayiladuthurai

Azhagiya Nadhar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Sozhampettai village near Mayiladuthurai Town in Mayiladuthurai Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Azhagiya Nadhar / Kalyana Sundareswarar and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini / Aram Valartha Nayagi. The temple is situated on the northern banks of Cauvery River. This temple is considered as one of the temples participating in Saptha Sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai.

Legends

Purusha Mriga worshipped Lord Shiva here:

As per legend, it is believed that Purusha Mriga worshipped Lord Shiva here. It is also said that Bheema, one of the Pandava brothers, fought Purusha Mriga here. A relief depicting this legend can be seen in the walls of the temple.

Lord Surya got relief from rheumatic disorders here:

It is believed that Lord Surya got relief from rheumatic disorders by praying to Mother Dharmasamvardhini here.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 3rd Century CE by Kochengata Chola. The temple was converted to granite structure by Chola Queen Chembiyan Maadevi and extensively renovated during Nayak period.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. Kodi Mara Vinayagar can be seen next to Balipeedam. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The Maha Mandapam is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam). Presiding Deity is called as Azhagiya Nadhar / Kalyana Sundareswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. There is a small entrance on the right side of the sanctum. It is said that this entrance is the gateway to the underground chamber and secret tunnel. Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini / Aram Valartha Nayagi. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. There is a shrine for Lord Surya in the temple premises.

This shrine houses a seven feet tall idol of Lord Surya. This shrine is situated opposite to mother shrine. Shrines and idols of Vinayagar, Murugan, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Suryan, Balamurugan and Sambandar can be seen in the temple premises. There is a relief of Bheema, one of the Pandava brothers, fighting with Purusha Mriga on the walls of the temple.

Festivals

Lord Aiyarappar and Aram Valartha Nayagi of Aiyarappar Temple along with Lord Shiva & Mother of Mayuranathaswami Temple, Moovalur Margasahayesvarar Temple, Sozhampettai Azhagiyanathar Temple, Thula Kattam Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Sitharkadu Brahmapureeswarar Temple and Punugeeswarar Temple goes in procession around Mayiladuthurai on the day of Chitra Pournami and finally gathering at Mayuranathar temple to invoke the blessings of Mayuranathar. They go back to their respective temples from here. This festival is called as Saptha Sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai. 

Religious Significance

This temple is considered as one of the temples participating in Saptha Sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai. The Saptha Sthana Temples of Mayiladuthurai are;

1.    Aiyarappar Temple, Mayiladuthurai

2.    Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai

3.    Margasahayesvarar Temple, Moovalur

4.    Azhagiyanathar Temple, Sozhampettai

5.    Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thula Kattam, Mayiladuthurai

6.    Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Sitharkadu

7.    Punugeeswarar Temple, Mayiladuthurai

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Junction Railway Station, 5 Kms from Mayiladuthurai Old Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Mayiladuthurai New Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Thirukadaiyur, 27 Kms from Sirkazhi, 29 Kms from Poompuhar, 32 Kms from Kumbakonam, 34 Kms from Tharangambadi, 115 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 124 Kms from Trichy Airport. This temple is situated to the west of Mayiladuthurai Town on Kallanai to Poompuhar route. Mayiladuthurai is situated on Kumbakonam to Poompuhar route.

Mayiladuthurai is connected by rail with most important towns and cities in South India. Mayiladuthurai Junction railway station is located on the main line connecting the state capital Chennai with Trichy. The Mysuru – Mayiladuthurai Express connects Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Trichy with Mysuru and Bengaluru. There are regular express trains that connect the city with major cities in the state like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Trichy. There are passenger trains that connects Mayiladuthurai with Thanjavur, Trichy, Thiruvarur, Chidambaram and Viluppuram.

Location