Sri Mayuranatha swamy temple

http://indiatempletour.blogspot.in/2012/05/275-thevara-shivasthalam-mayavaram-sri.html

275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Mayavaram Sri Mayuranathar Temple!!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Sri Mayuranathar temple is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the sacrosanct places situated on the river banks of Cauvery equivalent to Varanasi.  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.

This is one of the oldest temples built during the regime of Chola dynasty.   This huge temple occupies massive acres of land known for its exquisite blend of Architectural and sculptural work with 165ft height majestic Rajagopuram, five praharams and 14 vimanams.

Presiding deity – Sri Mayuranathar with his consort Goddess Sri Abyambikai/Anjalnayaki

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar & Thirunavukkarasar sung praising the glories of Lord Mayuranatha in this temple.  Saint Arunagirinathar also sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya here.

Worshipped by – Lord Brahma, Deities and Sages

Theertham – Rishaba Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Agastya Theertham

Vimanam - Thridala Vimanam

Sthalavruksham – Mango

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Nataraja, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, Bikshataneshwar, Gangavisarjanamurthy, Chandikeshwara, Ashtalakshmi, Lord Vishnu, Navagrahas, Juradeva, Siddhar samadhi,

Festivals - Vaikasi Brahmostavam, Aippasi Tula Snanam, Arudra Darisanam, Maha Shivaratri, Laksha Deepam, Mdayura Thandavam, Skandha Shashti, Adipooram,

The legend has that Dakshaprajapathi conducted a grand Yagna without inviting his own son-in-law Lord Shiva and daughter Sati.  All the deities and Sages were invited with due honor and respect except Lord Shiva. Dakshaprajapati approached Lord Vishnu and Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi at Sri Vaikundham and requested their presence for the Yagna. Lord Vishnu & Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi describes the significance of Trinities and discourages Dakshaprajapathi from his very intention to insult Lord Shiva.  But, Dakshaprajapathi subtly persuade Lord and reminded the boon he had obtained from Lord Vishnu and his promise to protect sacrifices of Dakshaprajapathi. 

Goddess Sati was deeply hurt at the act of her father Dakshaprajapathi and requested Lord Shiva to accompany her to father's Yagna.  Lord Shiva reveals his unwillingness to take part in the Yagna with proper justifications and revealed his intention not to create any intolerable incidents by paying visit to his father.  Lord Shiva narrates to Goddess Sati about the principal role of worshipper for the performance of Yagna.  The performance of fire sacrifice requires utmost faith, devotion and tranquility of mind to serve its purpose.  Subsequently Goddess Sati had a heated argument with Lord and left Mount Kailash with Nandikeshwara heavy heartedly.  She arrived at the Yagna arena with Lord Nandikeshwara.  She was not received with any honor or respect; she was totally ignored and humiliated by Dakshaprajathi.  Finally, Goddess Sati in a mounted rage sacrificed herself in the fire of Yagna. 

After the devastating end of Goddess Sati, She transformed into a stunning peacock and worshipped Lord Shiva in this sacred land.  Once again the divine couple reunited and performed their cosmic dance – Mayura Thandavam on this sacred land.

Another legend has that River Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy were become polluted ever since people started to take dip in these holy rivers to wash off their sins.   At the divine instruction of Sage Kanva, the three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy performed holy dip in the river Caurvery in this sacred land and regained their glories. 

Worship of Lord Mayuranathar and holy dip in the river Cauvery before sunrise provides abundance of pieties and washes off the sins committed. 

This temple remains open from 5.30AM to 12.PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!