There are two Ambika shrines 'Balambika and Sundarambika'. The wedding
of Nandhi is celebrated on the Panguni Punarvasu star day in
March-April. It is believed that those who attend this festival will
get married soon Lord Somaskanda made of a single stone graces from a separate shrine.
In the shrine of Lord
Brahmma in the temple, there are four Nandis representing the four
Vedas. There are two Lord Dakshinamurthi shrines and a shrine for
Mother Katyayini.The temple is praised in the hymns of Saints
Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar.
There are three pits between Lord Shiva
and Nandhi which devotees consider as Navagrahas, light Deepas and
pray. Sage Markandeya grants darshan in the temple on Vaikasi Visakam
Star day holding a Mazhu-a battle axe-like weapon.Hence, the place is named Mazhuvadi.
Sage Siladha, a resident of Tiruvaiyaru performed penance on Lord Shiva
seeking child boon. A voice spoke to the sage telling him that his wish
could be realized if he conducts the Puthrakameshti Yajna and he would
get box with a child while tilling the land for the yagna. He was
advised to bring up the child having longevity of just 16 years only.
Siladha found the box and on opening it, found a child with 3 eyes, 4
shoulders and crescent moon adoring the head.
Struck by a shock, he
closed the box and opened again and found a child in normal human form.
He named the child Japesar.Japesar reached the age of 14 leaving
just two years to complete the destined term of life. The sage was very
sad. Knowing his father's agony, Japesar started penance by standing
on one leg on the Ayana Theertha tank in Tiruvaiyaru. The creatures of
the tank slowly began to consume him. Japesar was not deterred by the
danger.
Lord Shiva, moved by his penance, cured him completely and
granted a long life. Later, Japesar was married to Suyasambikai in
Tirumazhapadi. Japesar continued his penance even after the marriage
and was rewarded with a position as the chief of Shiva Ganas and further
elevated as the first security chief at the first gate of Kailash and
was named as Nandhi Deva.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Temple Festivals:
Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in
October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the
festivals celebrated in the temple
The
Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Sundarar.He
addresses the Lord saying that whom he would think of after seeing his
gold skinned Lord, clad in tiger skin, kondrai flowers spreading
fragrance from His head, with lightning bright hair, the crescent moon,
his King, and a precious gem blessing the world from Mazhapadi.
This is
the 54th Lord Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in
Thevaram hymns.
Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. The wedding of Nandhi, the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva took place here.This
temple is known for Shiva`s Taandavam with the Mazhuvaayudam for
Markandeyar. Purushamriga Munivar established a shrine for Shiva here
and Brahma unable to remove it called it Vajrastamba Moorthy.
The
108-ft. tall, seven- tiered Rajagopuram facing the east, situated just
on the banks of the Coleroon (North Cauvery) presents a magnificent view
from the river bed. The second gopuram with five tiers is about 80 ft.
Both the towers are decorated with a rich array of sculptures.
Do's:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.