Temples of Tamilnadu - 22 - Rasi Temples - Part 4 - Dhanusu

Sri Mayuranathar temple. Myladuthurai

Rasi : Dhanusu ( Sagittaris) 

Temple Timings : 5.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m 

Phone        : +91- 4364 -222 345, 223 779, 93451 49412 ,223 207

Location : 14 kms from Myladuthurai  Sirkazhi 7 kms

Nearest town        : Sirkazhi

Important days : Rasi/star day 

Lord Aadhi Mayuranathar graces from a separate shrine in the prakara.  The Presiding deity Lord Mayuranathar graces from a separate sannidhi as Shivalinga, Mother Ambica appears as a peacock worshipping the Lord.  Lord Muruga is glorified by Arunagiriar and during the  Sashti festival in Shiva temples, Lord Muruga receives His Vel weapon from the Lord which is normally from the mother in other temples.  Here, He receives it from Lord Shiva.  The Gouri Thandavam performance of Lord is celebrated as Mayura Thandavam. The first pooja of the evening goes to  Lord Nataraja..  Mayilamman shrine is opposite to Nataraja shrine where both Lord and Mother offer their divine grace in the form of a peacock.

Above the Lord Dakshinamurthy in the goshta wall, there are two peacocks and two Monkeys in the banyan tree. There is also a Nandhi.

Nadha Sharma who was lame and his wife Anavidyambikai could not come to this place for the Cauvery bath-Thula Snanam before the expiry of the 30 days time (Aipasi month-October-November). Disappointed they sadly stayed the night worshipping Lord Shiva who in their dream advised them to have the bath before sunrise and  that they would have full benefit of the Tula Snanam bath.  Following this tradition, , the practice of this bath continues even now on the first day of Karthikai month.  As Lord Shive froze the bath time for the couple, this bath is called Mudavan Muzhukku.  Mudavan means Differently abled (Lame) and Muzhukku is bath. The couple the merged with the Lord.  

Here the Lingam faces west.  The Linga with which his wife Anavidyambikai merged is at right of the Ambica shrine which is dressed with only Red sari indicating the oneness of male and female.  Lord Dakshinamurthi appears slightly leaning to a side with His legs folded.

Mother Aadi Poora Ambal graces in the Veera Shakti form & praised as Abhayambikai.  She is also brought in procession to the banks of Cauvery on Aadi Pooram day and Fridays of the month covering July-August.

Lord Vinayaka appearing from a sandal tree is praised as Agasthya Sandana Vinayaka – Sandanam-Sandal.

Tula Snanam:  It is said that Lord Shiva blessed Nandhi by destroying its pride who is in the midst of Cauvery.  It is practice to take a dip in the river during the Aipasi month (October-November) and the first day of following Karthikai month.  The Lord visits Cauvery everyday during this period of 31 days.  Puranam’s say that Ganga had Her sins cleansed with a dip in Cauvery.  This day is Aipasi new moon day-Deepavali.  A bath in Cauvery on this day absolves the devotee of all his/her past sins.

Planet Saturn in the Navagraha shrine appears as Jwala Saturn signifying Agni on his head. There is also a Saturn of normal form with his crow vahanam by the side facing north performing Shiva puja which is a rare scene.  Those facing adverse aspect of this planet offer prayers here.

There are five prakaras in the temple.  At the side of Lord Nataraja’s Patham is Juradeva. Mother Durga graces with demon Mahisha at Her feet and also with demon each on both sides which is  a rare form of Durga.  Chandikeswara and Tejas Chandikeswara,  shrine.  Lord Mahavishnu worshipping Lord Shiva,  Ashta Lakshmis and Sattainahar are also seen.  Kudhambai Chithar who attained salvation her has a shrine..  People pray to Kanakkadi Vinayaka to take care of their accounts.  

Daksha conducted a yajna but intentionally did not invite Lord Shiva to humiliate Him.  Lord Shiva did not want Parvathi, who was Daksha’s daughter, to attend the yajna.  Yet, with a view to correct Her father and also due to the affection for him, Parvathi attended the function but was humiliated by Daksha who was destroyed along with the yagna by the Veerabadra form of Lord Shiva. Since a peacock used for the rituals sought asylum of Mother Parvathi and as ignored the Lord’s advice, was cursed to become a peacock.  She, as a peacock, came to this place and performed severe penance to get back Her Lord.   Pleased with Her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before here as a Peacock Himself and danced as a peacock – Mayura Thandavam and hence he is Mayuranathar. .  Mother was restored to Her original form.  .