December 2013 - Temples of Tamilnadu

Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy temple is on the banks of the river Coleroon or Kollidam at Thirumazhapadi, in Ariyalur district. The Kollidam river flows northward here in the vicinity of the temple. It is at a distance of 45 km from Tiruchi. This temple is one of the padal petra sthalams. There are lot of inscriptions on the temple walls. Inscriptions say that this temple has received contributions from the kings of various dynasties viz Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, Hoysala & Maratha and of course the smaller rulers of Ariyalur.

Thirumazhapadi Vaithyanathaswamy Temple

Thirumazhapadi Vaithyanathaswamy

Vaidyanathaswamy, the presiding deity of the temple is present here along with His Consort Sunarambigai. The Lord is also known as Mazhuvadeeswarar. There is a statue of Mazhuvadeeswarar in the ardhamandapam. He is seen with an axe in His right hand along with a spear and a rope. He is said to have saved Markandeya from Yama here also.

Mazhuvadeeswarar. Thirumazhapadi Vaithyanathaswamy Temple

The majestic Rajagopuram is tall and seven-tiered facing the east. The second gopuram is five-tiered. As is the case with most temples, one can see a lot of sculptures on these gopurams.

Sundara Vinayakar, Thirumazhapadi Vaithyanathaswamy Temple

Somaskandar. Thirumazhapadi Vaithyanathaswamy Temple

Four nandis in front of Brahma’s Idol. Thirumazhapadi Vaithyanathaswamy Temple

This huge temple complex has separate temples for Vaidyanathaswamy and Sundarambigai. There are two Nandis one behind the other in front of the Sanctum sanatorium. Another unusual sight here is there are four Nandis in front of the idol of Brahma.

These represent the four Vedas. There are no Navagraha idols in the temple. Instead, there are three pits between Lord Shiva and Nandi which devotees consider Navagrahas. Poojas to the Navagrahas is offered here.

Two Nandis in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine

The sthala vriksham is the palmyrah tree (Pana maram in Tamil). The entire area was once a forest of Palmyrah trees. Chembian Mahadevi, grandmother of Rajaraja the Great, hailed from Chembiakudi, which is 4 km from Thirumazhapadi. Kandaradithyam, where Kandraditha Chola was born is just about 15 km away from Thirumazhapadi.

Vaidyanathaswamy temple at Thirumazhapadi is associated with the Panchanadeeswara temple at Tiruvayaru, which is on the other side of the river and situated at a distance of about 15 km from Thirumazhapadi. In the Tamil month of Panguni on the Punarvasu star day, Nandi Kalyanam is celebrated. Lord Nandeeswara, the bridegroom from Thiruvayaru marries Goddess Swayambikai Devi of Thiumazhapadi temple. Nandi is dressed in Maratha attire (will be interesting to know why is he in a Matatha attire) and is brought in a palanquin to Thirumazhapadi, where he is accorded a ceremonial reception by none other than Vaidyanatha Swamy on the banks of the Coleroon. The priests of the temple perform the marriage of the Nandi. The newly wed Celestial couple are taken in a procession through the village. As per the Hindu marriage ritual the couple go around the ceremonial fire seven times. Shiva took the newly wed couple to seven Shiva temples around Thiruvaiyar. These seven temples are known as saptha sthanams. This group of temples is very close to each other and can be covered in one session. In the tamil month of Chittirai, the Deity (Utsavar) of Thiruvaiyar is carried on a palanquin to all these temples. This is a very important festival in these temples around Thiruvaiyar. These seven temples to be visited in order as follows:

1. Thiruvaiyaru

2. Thiruchotruthurai

3. Thiruvedikudi

4. Thirupponduruthi

5. Thillaisthanam

6. Kandiyur

7. Thiruppazhanam

The car (chariot) festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi.

Those suffering from high fever offer boiled rice with rasam to Jurahareswarar and get relief. It is believed that having a bath in the temple tank will cure all illness. It is also believed that by visiting this temple unmarried will get married soon. Devotees firmly believe that praying at this temple will result in transfer and promotion.