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Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai is a Siva kshetra on the banks of river Kaveri. This is one of the 276 ‘paadal petra sthalam’, and Tirunavukkarasu and Thirugnana Sambandar have sung hymns in praise of the presiding deity, Sri Mayuranathar, of this kshetra.
Legend has it that Daksha, the father of Mother Parvati, conducted a yajna but deliberately excluded Lord Shiva, intending to humiliate Him. Lord Shiva refrained Parvathi from attending the yajna. Yet, intending to correct Her father, Parvathi attended the function but was humiliated by Daksha. Lord Shiva manifested as Veerabadra and destroyed the yajna. A peacock used for the rituals sought asylum at the feet of Mother Parvathi. As She ignored the Lord’s advice, She was cursed to become a peacock. For the redemption from the curse She came to this sacred kshetra in the form of a peacock and performed severe penance to get back to Her Lord. Pleased with Her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before Her as a Peacock Himself and danced as a peacock – Mayura Thandavam. Ambica was restored to Her original form. As Lord came here as a peacock-Mayura, He is revered as Mayuranathar.
Around seventeen inscriptions about the ancient rulers have been found by the Archaeological Survey of India here. Parantaka Chola, Rajadhi Rajan II, Kulothungan III, Jatavarman Sundarapandian, and the rulers of the Vijayanagar kingdom had made more contributions to this temple.
River Kaveri of this Kshetra
While taking a dip in the River Kaveri is considered holy and sacred, taking a bath in this Kshetra holds great significance, especially during the month of Tula and the first day of Karthik. The car festival of the Temple is celebrated during the Iyppasi month [October/November], also known as the Thula month.
While it is normal to see Sri Anjaneya facing the main deity of the temple from theradi in Sri Vaishnava kshetra, here in this kshetra Sri Hanuman is seen worshipping Sri Mayuranather from theradi.
Car festival at this Temple
It is unique that the car festival is held in October/November in this temple, while it is held during March/April in almost all the temples in Tamil Nadu. The car festival is held on the day before "Kadaimugam," the last day of Iyppasi. This festival is part of a larger month-long celebration, culminating in the "Mudavan Muzhukku" on the first day of Karthigai.
Temple tanks
The temple has two tanks, one just within the complex, adjacent to the Rajagopuram. Sri Mayuranathar and Rajagopuram are facing east. The second one is a few distances away, outside the temple complex, and opposite the Rajagopuram. This tank is known as Ayam Kulam and is on the east street. The temple car shed is on the banks of this tank.
Theradi
The Car festival of the Temple starts from this place, and Sri Mayuranathar ascends the car and goes around the town to Tula Snana Ghat and returns. There are two temples on theradi, one for Sri Ganesha [Sri Vallabha Ganapathi] and the other for Sri Anjaneya.
Theradi Anjaneya temple
This temple and Sri Anjaneya are facing the Rajagopuram and Sri Mayuranathar. While it is normal to see Sri Anjaneya facing the main deity of the temple from theradi in Sri Vaishnava kshetra, here He is seen worshipping Sri Mayuranather. In Siva temples, Sri Vinayaka is normally seen in the theradi. Here in this kshetra, both Vinayaka and Sri Anjaneya are seen.
The Sri Hanuman temple and the tank is said to have been built by Govinda Dikshitar, who served as the minister of three successive Nayaks of Thanjavur. He is the one who had built the sixteen mandapams and stone steps around the Mahamaham tank of Kumbakonam. There is a variation suggesting that the temple was built at the end of the nineteenth century.
Sri Abhaya Anugraha Anjaneya temple
The main deity, Sri Anjaneya, is facing Sri Mayuranathar. In Sri Vaishnava kshetra, Theradi Sri Anjaneya will be depicted as Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya, but here He is shown as Sri Abhaya Anjaneya, which is unusual.
The entrance to garbhagraham is flanked by ‘yali’ and celestial angels on both sides. There are separate sannidhis for Sri Ayyappa and Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya also. The sannidhi for Sri Ayyappa had come up during the last decade. The sannidhi of Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya was built during the 1980s. The processional deity is Panchamukha Anjaneya.
Sri Anjaneyar
[The given image represents Sri Abhaya Anjaneya, but not that of Mayiladuthurai.]
The idol of Sri Anjaney a of this kshetra is placed on a platform of two feet, with The deity is standing on a stone pedestal of one foot. Lord is wearing ‘thandai’ and ‘nupur’ on His feet. The tail of the Lord is seen near His lotus feet. The ‘gada’ He is holding in His left hand is resting near His Lotus feet. Decorative kankan adorn His wrist. Dhoti in traditional kacham style, yagyopavit, and a few malas on the chest are seen. Keyur in the upper arm shows His ‘bhuja-balam.’ With His right hand raised in ‘abhaya mudra,’ the Lord bestows blessings [anugraha] upon His devotees. Charming cheeks, broad forehead, long ears adorned with kundalam, and above all, the large and radiant eyes are sure to enthrall the devotees. The crown over His head adds to His divine beauty.
Location of the temple: "Theradi Sri Abhaya Anugraha Anjaneya temple, Mayiladuthurai"
Experience
Visit this kshetra and have darshan of Sri Mayuranathar and Sri Anjaneya, who is praying to Sri Mayuranathar. Take the anugraham of the both the Lords.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [February 2026]
