At a distance of 37 km from Kumbakonam, 37 km from Karaikal and 42 km from Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai is a city and headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai Taluk in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Mayiladuthurai is understood for the Mayuranatha Swamy Temple devoted to Lord Shiva. This temple is one among the many six temples that are in contrast as equal to the temple in Varanasi. The opposite 5 Shivasthalams are Tiruvenkaadu, Chaayaavanam, Tiruvaiyaru, Tiruvanchiam and Tiruvidaimarudur.
This temple was reconstructed with stone in 10th century throughout the interval of Sembiyan Mahadevi. Nevertheless, the renovations from the 19th century have destroyed a number of the older constructions and the inscriptions. Among the stone sculptures of Vinayakar, Natarajar, Dakshimamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, Ganga Visarjanamurthi, Durga and Bhikshatanar from the interval of Sembiyan Mahadevi have been properly preserved.
The principle diety is within the type of lingam known as Mayuranathar and his consort Abhayambika seems as a peacock worshipping the Lord right here. In accordance with legend, Daksha, father of goddess Parvathi, carried out a Yagna however deliberately did not invite Lord Shiva to humiliate him. Lord Shiva didn’t need Parvathi additionally to attend the Yagna. However Goddess Parvathi attended the perform and was humiliated by Daksha. Lord Shiva in Veerabadra type and destroyed the Yagna. As Parvathi ignored Lord’s recommendation, she was cursed to turn into a peacock. She got here to this place as a peacock and carried out extreme penance for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared earlier than her as a Peacock himself and danced Mayura Thandavam. Ambica received again to her unique type. As Lord got here right here as a Mayura, he’s praised as Mayuranathar.
This temple is unfold over Eight acres with 5 enclosures, a 165 toes tall Raja Gopura, pillared halls and 14 vimanas (sikharas). The temple is managed by the Tiruvavaduturai Mutt. Lord Muruga within the prakara is praised by saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns. There’s a separate shrine for Lord Nataraja. The primary puja within the night is devoted to Lord Nataraja. Mayilamman shrine is reverse to Nataraja shrine the place each Lord and Mom grace within the type of peacock. Two peacocks and two monkeys are depicted within the banyan tree above the Lord Dakshinamurthy sculpture on outer partitions of the temple.
There’s a massive temple tank within the centre of the complicated. Individuals go to this temple in massive numbers on the brand new moon day within the Tamil month of Aipasi and take bathtub within the tank. It’s believed that this bathtub purifies an individual of sins. Vaikasi Brahmotsavams in Could-June, Aipasi Thula Snanam in October-November and Laksha Deepam on the final Friday of Aadi month (July-August) are the festivals celebrated within the temple. An annual dance competition known as the Mayura Natyanjali competition is well known inside the premises of the temple.
Timings: 5.30 AM – 12 PM and four PM – 8.30 PM