Mayuranathar temple, Mayiladuthurai
Location: Mayiladuthurai (also known as Mayavaram)
Deity known as: Mayuranathar
Female Deity: Abhayaambikai, Anjal Nayaki
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 2
Gallery - Mayiladuthurai Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located in Mayiladuthurai, also historically known as Mayavaram or Mayooram. Mayiladuthurai is well connected by road and rail to many cities across Tamil Nadu. The town is also home to one of the 108 Divya Desam, popularly known as the Tiru Indalur Parimala Ranganathar Temple.
Temple Address
Mayiladuthurai (Mayavaram)
Mayiladuthurai District
Tamil Nadu
Temple Hours
Morning: 5:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Nearby Paadal Petra Sivasthalams
| 1 | Tiru-kadaimudi - 12.7 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Nindriyur - 9.7 kms | |
| 3 | Needur - 4.8 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Anniyur - 8.2 kms | |
| 5 | Tiru-Velvi-kudi - 10.8 kms | |
| 6 | Tiru-Edirkolpadi - 16.1 kms | |
| 7 | TiruManancheri - 13.2 kms | |
| 8 | Tiru-kurukkai - 13.2 kms | |
| 9 | Tiruvavaduthurai - 16.8 kms | |
| 10 | Tiru-Vazhundur - 14 kms | |
| 11 | Tiru-Vilanagar - 6 kms | |
| 12 | Tiru-Pariyalur (Parasalur) - 9.2 kms | |
| 13 | Tiru-Sempon-Palli - 10 kms | |
| 14 | Tiru-Nani-Palli (Panjai) - 13 kms | |
| 15 | Tiru-Valampuram (Mela-Perum-Palli) - 22 kms | |
| 16 | Tiru-Thalaichankadu - 20 kms | |
| 17 | Tiru-Aakur - 15.4 kms | |
| 18 | Tiru-Kadavur - 20 kms | |
| 19 | Tiru-Kadavur Mayanam - 21.6 kms |
Nearby Divya Desam
The Greatness of Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai—also known as Mayavaram and Mayuram—is a very ancient and sacred Shiva kshetra. The proverb "Even a thousand cannot equal Mayuram" itself reflects the greatness of this town. According to puranic tradition, this town was created by Brahma, and it is said that Brahma himself worshipped the presiding deity of this temple, Mayuranathar.
Two Places of worship related to a peafowl
Mayiladuthurai is one of the two places where Goddess Parvati is believed to have worshipped Shiva in the form of a peahen. The other is Tiru-Mayilai, in the Thondai region.
Considered on par with Kashi
Six temples on the banks of river Cauvery considered on par with Varanasi (Benares). They are :
Sthala Purana - The Goddess as a Peacock
According to Purana, when Daksha conducted a yajna without honoring Shiva, Parvati attended it as an uninvited guest, defying Shiva, and was humiliated there. Enraged by this, Shiva implored Parvati to perform penance on the banks of the River Kaveri for thirty days during the Tamil month of Aippasi.
Origin of the Name
Assuming the form of a peahen, Parvati worshipped Shiva at this spot. As the Goddess worshipped Shiva in the form of a peahen (Mayil), this place came to be known as Mayiladuthurai (Aduthurai meaning place).
All the devas who participated in Daksha's yajna, which was conducted in disregard of Shiva, experienced the consequences of their actions. Seeking relief from the burden thus incurred, they came to Mayiladuthurai and worshipped Mayuranathar, through whose grace they were purified and their well-being was restored.
The Purification of Sacred Rivers
Once, as Sage Kannuva was on his way to bathe in the River Ganga, he encountered three young women in an unrefined guise. They bowed to the sage and revealed that they were none other than the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. They explained that the accumulated spiritual impurities of those who bathed in them had adhered to them, causing their appearance to change in this manner.
The Power of Kaveri
Sage Kannuva advised them that in order to be freed from these impurities and to regain their original forms, they should bathe in the River Kaveri at Mayuram, located in the southern direction, during the Tula (Tamil month Aippasi). Acting upon his counsel, they immersed themselves in the sacred waters, whereupon the accumulated impurities were removed and they regained their true forms.
It is believed that devas, sages, and divine beings such as Saraswati, Lakshmi, Gauri, and the Sapta Matrikas regularly come to bathe along the banks of the Kaveri at Mayuram.
Sacred Bathing in Tula Month (Aippasi)
Therefore, bathing in the River Kaveri at Mayiladuthurai during the Tula month (Aippasi) is considered highly sacred. Among these, bathing on Kadaimugam, the final day of the Aippasi month, is regarded as especially auspicious.
Kadaimugam - The Final Day
Even if one is unable to bathe in the river during the first twenty-nine days of the month, it is believed that bathing in the Kaveri on the thirtieth and final day, and worshipping Mayuranathar along with Goddess Abhayambikai on that day, bestows liberation (moksha).
Mudavan Muzhukku - Divine Extension of Time
The following day, the first day of the Tamil month of Karthigai, is celebrated as "Mudavan Muzhukku." Having heard of the sacred Tula bathing, a physically challenged man came to Mayiladuthurai seeking relief from the burden of his past actions. Owing to his disability, he arrived late, and by then the month of Aippasi had ended and Karthigai had begun.
Shiva's Compassion
Unable to return the following year because of his condition, he prayed and pleaded with the Mayuranathar. Moved by his devotion, Shiva granted him an extension of one additional day beyond the usual time. The man then immersed himself in the waters of the Kaveri, and the burden he carried was removed.
As Shiva is believed to have suspended the customary time itself for the sake of this devotee, the event came to be known as "Mudavan Muzhukku."
Nadasarma and Anavidhyambikai - Divine Guidance
On the final day of the Tula month, known as Kadaimugam, a devout couple named Nadasarma and Anavidhyambikai set out resolutely toward Mayuram to bathe in the River Kaveri. However, by the time they arrived, the sacred bathing on the thirtieth day had already concluded. Saddened by this, they remained there and prayed earnestly to Shiva.
Dawn Bathing Blessing
That night, Shiva appeared in Nadasarma's dream and assured him that bathing in the Kaveri before sunrise on the following morning would also bestow the same spiritual merit and remove all impurities. Acting upon this divine guidance, the couple immersed themselves in the river at dawn the next day and were thus purified.
Based on this sacred event, the practice of bathing in the Kaveri during the early hours of the first day of the Karthigai month continues to this day.
Temple Structure and Architecture
Mayuranathar temple at Mayiladuthurai is managed and maintained by the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. The temple complex is enclosed by compound walls on all four sides, with a majestic eastern Rajagopuram and smaller, unfinished (mottai) gopurams on the other three sides. Including the surrounding streets, the temple has five prakaras.
The Rajagopuram
The eastern Rajagopuram rises grandly with nine tiers, adorned with beautiful sculptures, while the inner gopuram has three tiers.
Unique Features
A distinctive feature of this temple seen in one of the walls surrounding sanctum as the Goshta Murtha, is Jwaradeva positioned near the feet of Nataraja, an unusual arrangement not commonly seen. Nearby is Alingana Murthi. Beneath the feet of Goddess Durga lies Mahishasura, with two asuras positioned on either side—an exceedingly rare form of Durga.
Temple Layout
Upon entering through the Rajagopuram, the temple tank is seen on the left, while the Kumarakattalai office is on the right.
Dual Chandikeswara
In this temple, two forms of Chandikeswara—Shiva Chandikeswarar and Tejas Chandikeswarar—are enshrined together in a single sanctum. As one circumambulates the prakara, the shrine of Ashtalakshmi can be seen, with Chattainathar positioned above her. Within the same prakara, there is also a Shiva Linga that is uniquely depicted as being worshipped by Maha Vishnu.
Nadasarma and Anavidhyambikai Sannidhi
In remembrance of the devout couple Nadasarma and Anavidhyambikai, a dedicated sannidhi for them is situated to the south of the Goddess's sanctum.
Divine Boon
According to the Sthala Purana, having granted the couple liberation and united them with Himself, Shiva further blessed them with a unique boon: devotees visiting Mayuram attain the full merit of their worship only after paying respects to this divine couple, following their reverence to all other deities within the temple complex.
Kumarakattalai - The Sannihi of Muruga
The Kumarakattalai within this temple is exclusively managed by the Dharmapuram Adheenam. On the left side of the prakara, to the north of the Mayuranathar sanctum, stands the Asthana Mandapam associated with Kumarakattalai.
Arunagirinathar's Praise
Arunagirinathar, in his Tiruppugazh, has composed a hymn specifically in praise of the Muruga of this shrine. Here, Muruga is depicted facing east, with one face and four arms, accompanied by His two consorts.
In the Kumarakattalai Mandapam, Periya Vinayaka is enshrined on the southern side, while Arumukha is positioned on the northern side.
Goddess Abhayambikai and Adi Mayuranathar
Adi Mayuranathar
Along the northern wall of the outer prakara, facing east, is the sannidhi of Adi Mayuranathar.
Goddess Abhayambikai
Abhayambikai, in her exclusive sanctum, is seen standing, with four arms—holding conch and discus in her upper hands, her left lower hand resting gracefully on her thigh, and her right lower hand holding a parrot, bestowing divine grace upon her devotees.
Gallery - Mayuranathar Temple
