Yogam - Saturn perform Siva Pooja in Thirumayiladuthurai

திருமயிலாடுதுறை

Greatness Of Temple 

Lord Aadhi Mayuranathar graces from a separate shrine in the prakara.  While the Presiding deity is in the form of Shivalinga, Ambica appears as a peacock worshipping the Lord.  Lord Muruga in the prakara is praised by saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns.  During the Skanda Sashti festival in Shiva temples, Lord Muruga would receive His Vel weapon from Mother Ambica.  Here, He receives it from Lord Shiva.  The Gouri Thandavam dance performance of Lord is celebrated as Mayura Thandavam – Mayura-peacock.  Lord Nataraja graces from a separate shrine.  The first puja in the evening is dedicated to Lord Nataraja.  Mayilamman shrine is opposite to Nataraja shrine where both Lord and Mother grace in the form of a peacock.

Two peacocks and two monkeys are depicted in the banyan tree above the Lord Dakshinamurthy sculpture in the goshta wall.  There is also a Nandhi.

Nadha Sharma and his wife Anavidyambikai came to this place for the Cauvery bath-Thula Snanam.  Before they arrive at the place, the 30 days time (Aipasi month-October-November) expired.  They sadly stayed at the night worshipping Lord Shiva.  Lord appeared in their dream and advised them to have the bath before sunrise the next day and assured that they would have full benefit of the Tula Snanam bath.  Based on this, the practice of this bath continues even now on the first day of Karthikai month.  As Lord Shive froze the bath time for His devotee couple, this bath is called Mudavan Muzhukku.  Mudakku in Tamil means freezing, Muzhukku bath.

The couple merged with the Lord then.  This Linga is facing west.  The Linga with which his wife Anavidyambikai merged is at right of the Ambica shrine.  This Linga is dressed with Red Sari only.  It also indicates the oneness of male and female.  Lord Dakshinamurthi appears slightly slanting on a side with His legs folded.

Mother Aadi Poora Ambal graces from a separate shrine in the Veera Shakti form praised as Abhayambikai.  She is also brought in procession to the banks of Cauvery on Aadi Pooram day and Fridays of this month covering July-August.

Lord Vinayaka in the prakara appearing earlier from a sandal tree is praised as Agasthya Sandana Vinayaka – Sandanam-Sandal.

Tula Snanam:  It is said that Lord Shiva blessed Nandhi by destroying its pride.  This Nandi is in the midst of Cauvery.  People take their holy bath in the river during the Aipasi month (October-November) and the first day of following Karthikai month.  Lord visits Cauvery each day during this period of 31 days.  It is also said that Holy Ganga had Her sins washed off with a dip in Holy Cauvery.  This day is Aipasi new moon day-Deepavali.  A bath in Cauvery on this day cleanses the devotee of all his/her past sins.

Planet Saturn in the Navagraha shrine appears as Jwala Saturn with Agni-fire on his head. Also a Saturn of normal form with his crow vehicle is by the side facing north performing Shiva puja.  This is a very rare form of Sani planet.  Those facing adverse aspect of this planet pray here to reduce its intensity.

There are five prakaras in the temple.  Juradeva is by the side of the feet of Lord Nataraja.  Mother Durga graces with demon Mahisha at Her feet and also with two demons on both sides.  This is also said to be a rare form of Durga.  Chandikeswara and Tejas Chandikeswara are in the same shrine.  Lord Mahavishnu worshipping Lord Shiva is in a separate shrine.  Mothers Ashta Lakshmis and Sattainahar are in the prakara.  There is also a shrine for Kudhambai Chithar who attained salvation here.  People pray to Kanakkadi Vinayaka to take care of their accounts.  Kanakku-account.

Temple History

Daksha, father of Mother Parvathi conducted a yajna but intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva to humiliate Him.  Lord Shiva did not want Parvathi too to attend the yajna.  Yet, with a view to correct Her father, Parvathi attended the function but was humiliated by Daksha.  Lord Shiva took the Veerabadra form and destroyed the yajna.  A peacock used for the rituals sought asylum at the feet of Mother Parvathi.  As She ignored Lord’s advice, She was cursed to become a peacock.  She came to this place as a peacock and performed severe penance to get back Her Lord.   Pleased with Her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before here 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 praised as Mayuranathar.

Thirumurai 5.39

6. நிலைமை சொல்லுநெஞ் சேதவ மென்செய்தாய்
கலைகள் ஆயவல் லான்கயி லாயநன்
மலையன் மாமயி லாடு துறையன்நம்
தலையின் மேலும் மனத்துளுந் தங்கவே.

my mind which is always taking about his benign nature!
Civan who is well-versed in what are called arts who is in the mountain of Kayilayam and who is in the great Mayilatuturai what is the penance you performed for that Lord to stay in our head and in the mind?

Thirumurai 6.25

1. உயிரா வணமிருந் துற்று நோக்கி
    யுள்ளக் கிழியி னுருவெழுதி
உயிரா வணஞ்செய்திட் டுன்கைத் தந்தால்
    உணரப் படுவாரோ டொட்டி வாழ்தி
அயிரா வணமேறா தானே றேறி
    அமரர்நா டாளாதே ஆரூ ராண்ட
அயிரா வணமேயென் னம்மா னேநின்
    அருட்கண்ணால் நோக்காதார் அல்லா தாரே.

Meditating with breathless concentration,
they draw Your picture in their soul`s canvas;
they then Entrust into Your hands the bonds which affirm their Life-long slavery to you;
when this is done,
You permit them To dwell with You with at-one-ment;
You ride not Ayiraavanam but a Bull;
You rule not the celestial world,
But Aaroor;
O Vanmikanaatha!
Our Chief!
Truly indigent Are they who are unblessed by Your looks of grace.

Thirumurai 6.27

2. ஐம்பெருமா பூதங்காள் ஒருவீர் வேண்டிற்
    றொருவீர்வேண் டீர்ஈண்டிவ் வவனி யெல்லாம்
உம்பரமே உம்வசமே யாக்க வல்லீர்க்
    கில்லையே நுகர்போகம் யானேல் வானோர்
உம்பருமா யூழியுமா யுலகே ழாகி
    ஒள்ளாரூர் நள்ளமிர்தாம் வள்ளல் வானோர்
தம்பெருமா னாய்நின்ற அரனைக் காண்பேன்
    தடைப்படுவே னாக்கருதித் தருக்கேன் மின்னே.

O Ye five great elements!
What is desired by one of you Is not desired by any other of you;
you are capable Of holding all the world in your control and possession;
I derive from you bogha none;
I,
for my part,
ever Behold Hara who is the empyrean,
the aeon,
the seven worlds,
The cool nectar of bright Aaroor,
the Patron,
and the God Of the celestials;
do not pridefully think That you can hold me circumscribed.

Thirumurai 6.97

8. நீறேறு திருமேனி நிகழக் கண்டேன்
    நீள்சடைமேல் நிறைகங்கை யேறக் கண்டேன்
கூறேறு கொடுமழுவாள் கொள்ளக் கண்டேன்
    கொடுகொட்டி கையலகு கையிற் கண்டேன்
ஆறேறு சென்னியணி மதியுங் கண்டேன்
    அடியார்கட் காரமுத மாகக் கண்டேன்
ஏறேறி யிந்நெறியே போதக் கண்டேன்
    இவ்வகையெம் பெருமானைக் கண்ட வாறே.

I saw His sacred person bedaubed with ash,
move about;
I saw the full flood of the Ganga on His lofty crest Of matted hair;
I saw Him hold a sharp and cruel mazhu;
I beheld in Him hand kodukotti and Kaiyalaku;
I beheld crescent in His crest where flows a river;
I beheld Him as the nectar of His servitors;
I saw Him Go this way mounted on His Bull it is thus,
even thus,
I beheld our Lord!
(Was it even so that you beheld Him?)

Thirumurai 12.21

77. மையற்றுறை யேறி மகிழ்ந்தலர்சீர்
    வாகீசர் மனத்தொடு வாய்மையுடன்
மெய்யுற்ற திருப்பணி செய்பவராய்
   விரவுஞ்சிவ சின்னம் விளங்கிடவே
எய்துற்ற தியானம் அறாவுணர்வும்
    ஈறின்றி எழுந்திரு வாசகமும்
கையில்திக ழும்உழ வாரமுடன்
    கைத்தொண்டு கலந்து கசிந்தனரே.

Having quit the confounding path, Vakeesar felt
Marked by delight great; to render service divine
With body, mind and word, he wore the marks
Of Saivism; godly consciousness pervaded him;
Endless holy hymns streamed from his lips;
Uzhavaram decked his hand; thus he stood
Poised in manual service with a melting heart.