Places of Interest
THIRUKKADAIYUR (Thirukkadaiyur)
Thirukkadaiyur is on the bus route between Mayiladuthurai and Tranquebar. It is one of the eight temples (Ashta veeratta thalam ) glorifying the herioc deeds of Lord Siva. Thalapuranam says that lord Siva exterminated Yama of this place to save the life of Markkandeya. It is one of the famous Sakthi thalams. The great poet and devotee Abirami Pattar in this place had sung the holy humns of Abirami santhathi. People prefer this place to celebrate their Shastiyapatha poorthy (completion of sixty years).
Poompuhar
This historical town is situated 24 kms west of Mayuram. Kaviripoompattinam is another name for this town as the holy river Cauvery reaches the Bay of Bengal only here. As written in the epic Silappathikaram, written by Ilangovadigal, Kovalan and Kannagi lived in this town. We can witness “Silappathikara kalaikkodam”, a panorama of sculptures depicting scenes from Silappathikaram in poompuhar. This had been the capital of Cholas and was a great commercial centre, which can be known from Pattinappalai, a tamil literature.
Sri Mayuranathaswami temple
This is also called the ‘Big temple’ of the town, and the goddess here protects her devotees who surrender and worships her. Hence she is called Abayambikai alias Anjal Nayaki ( Abayam means giving protection ). Famous poets like Appar, Sambandhar, Arunagiri nadhar have rendered songs in praise of the deity. Sri Muthuswamy Dikshidar and Saint Thyagaraja who were among the famous Sangeetha Mummoorthis, met in this temple and sang in praise of the god. Dikshidar has rendered nine krithis on Abayambikai called Navavarna krithis. This temple is under the control of Thiruvavaduthurai Adhinam and Dharmapuram Adhinam.
Sri Ayyarappar temple
This temple is one of the oldest temple and is of Archeological interest. This temple houses many Stone inscriptions of Kulothungha chola period. Ambal’s name is Dharmasamvardhani ( one who helps the growth of Dharma ).
Sri Vadhanyeshwarar temple
On the northern bank of the Cauvery, in Uttara Mayuram, is situated the lovely temple familiarly called Vallalar koil. The beautiful and panoramic view of the Cauvery with the Rishaba mantabam in the middle draws pilgrims and tourists alike.
The main deity is Sri Vadhanyeshwarar and the Goddess goes by the name of Gnanambika. On the southern side of the sanctum sanctorum is situated the shrine of Sri Medhaa Dakshinamurthy. Dakshinamurthy is portrayed usually as a yogi under a banyan tree, His right hand held in gnana mudra, imparting wisdom silently to the aged Sankartha munis.
Sri Punukeeswarar temple
This temple is situated in Koorainadu in the western part of Mayuram. This is named after Punuku siddar who got Moksha here. Koorai means clothe. During a typical South Indian marriage, a typical South Indian bride (notwithstanding mixed marriages!) wears a saree, which is called Koorai saree. In olden days such sarees were woven only in koorainadu and this is the reason behind the name ‘koorai pudavai’.
Sri Parimala Ranganatha swamy temple
From the birth of holy river Cauvery in ThalaCauvery to its end in Poompukar, there are five Ranganathas and one of them is Sri Parimala Ranganathar in Thiruindhalur on the banks of Cauvery. Alwars (Vaishnavite poets) have sung on the greatness of Parimala Ranganatha. This temple is among the 108 vaishanava Thirupathis. Perumal (Lord Vishnu) in this is Parimala Ranganathan (Maruviniya Maindhan, Sugandavana Nathan) in veerasayanam pose facing East. Thaayar (Goddess) is called Parimala Ranganayaki, Chandra-shapa-vimochanavalli and Pundarikavalli
Chandran got his curses absolved by Thaayar in this place. This is the reason why Thaayar got that name ‘Chandra-shapa-vimochanavalli’. Perumal in Sayana posture has Chathur bujha andCaverydevi and Gangadevi can be seen near the head and foot of Perumal.
Sri Kasi Vishwanatha swamy temple
This temple can conveniently be called as a branch of Kasi Vishwanatha temple. Pilgrims, who cant go to Kasi, can worship here and get the same effect. This is in the thula ghat ( Laghatam ) on the banks of Cauvery. Dhondi vinayaka and Bhairava are also seen in this temple.
• RELIGIOUS CIRCUIT
Navagraha Temples
Nine temples, which are famous for each of the Navagraha are situated around Mayiladuthurai. One can visit all the 9 temples in a day, starting from Mayuram and it has become quite a popular tourist circuit today.
Suriyanar koil – Sun – Suriyan
This is about 20kms west of Mayuram, near Aduthurai. Surya resides with his wives Chaya and Suvarcha in this holy place. With Surya at the centre, temples of the other Grahas are around Surya.
Thingaloor – Moon – Chandiran
This is about 40 kms west of Mayuram, near thiruvaiyaru. Mentally disturbed people come here to get cure get rid of their sorrows and sufferings.
Vaidheeswaran Koil – Mars – Angarakan
This temple is 12 kms north-east of Mayuram, on the way to Chidambaram. This town is also called as Pull-irukku-Veloor. Jadayu – the eagle who made a gallant attempt to stop Ravana from proceeding to Lanka with Sita, got relieved of his wings by Ravana, fell down here and eventually got Moksha. Even today we can see the place where Jadayu was cremated – ‘Jadayu Kundam’.
Vaidheeswaran koil is a crowd puller for many reasons along with the Angarakan. Vaidyanadha Swamy ( shiva ) is believed to cure illness of the ardent devotees. Lot of people throng here everyday, offer their prayers for regaining their health with the grace of the deity. Ambal is called Valambika alias Thaiyal Nayaki.
Kiruthigai is an auspicious day here with special poojas performed for SelvaMuthuKumara Swamy ( Murugan ). Nayanmars, Arunagiri Nadar, kumaraguruparar, kalamega pulavar have visited this temple and sung in praise of the deity. Separate sanctorum for Angaraka is a speciality out here as you cannot find it elsewhere.
Thiruvenkadu – Mercury – Budhan
This is about 24 kms east of Mayuram. Lord Shiva resides here in the name of Swetharanyar. This temple is referred in ‘Saiva Thirumurais’ and Sastras. This place is similar to Kasi with all the Snana Ghats. One can do all the karmas here, that is supposed to be done in kasi. We can find a separate sanctum sanctorum for bhudan. Bhudan holds the portfolio of Education and Arts and it is the next popular place students prefer to go after Tuition centers.
Alangudi – Jupiter – Guru
This is about 40 kms from Mayuram near Needamangalam. The speciality here is that Lord Guru is engraved on the wall and is not in the form of separate idol.
Kanjanur – Venus – Sukran
Kanjanur is near Suriyanarkoil. People come here for getting the blessings of Sukran, to get themselves ‘Sukra Dasa’, who is believed to get them wealth.
Thirunallaru – Saturn – Shani
This is the most sought Navagraham, which is about 30 kms east of Mayuram on the way to Thiruvarur. There is a separate sanctum sanctoram for Lord Shani. This is the place where Shani left from the body of Nala Maharaja. This is one of the ‘Sapta Vidanga Kshetras’ ( where Musukunda Chakravarthy installed the deity of Thyagaraja ). It is believed that holy dip in the tank ( Nala Theertham ) will help people to escape from the woes of Sani.
Thirunageswaram – Ragu
This is about 30 kms from Mayuram , near Kumbakonam. The main deity’s name is Nageshwarar and Ambal’s name is Girigujambikai. She is decorated as a small girl in the Mornings, as young lady in Noons and as lady in evenings. Thirunageswaram is referenced in Lalitha Sahasranamam. Here Ragu resides with his wife and everyday, during Ragu kalam, when Milk is poured over Ragu idol, it miraculously changes to blue colour. People having Ragu dosha come here during Ragu kalam and perform Abishekas.
Keezhaperumpallam – Kethu
This temple is about 20 kms from Mayuram, near Thiruvenkadu. Here there is a separate sanctum sanctorum for Kedhu. Those who are affected by Kedhu dosha come here for rectification.
NAVAKRAKA TEMPLES PHONES
| SURYANAR KOIL | 0435-2472349 |
| VAIDEESWARAN KOIL | 04364-279423 |
| THIRUVENKADU | 04364-256424 |
| ALANGUDI | 04374-269407 |
| KANJANUR | 0435-2473737 |
| THIRUNALLAR | 04368-236530 |
| THIRUNAKESWARAM | 0435-279423 |