This Shiva temple is one of the seven Sapta sthanam Shiva temples around Mayiladuthurai which is located very close to Mayiladuthurai city. The temple is to the west of Shri Mayurnathar temple.
Mulavar (main deity): Shri Aiyyarappar
Devi (Consort): Shri Aram Valarkarnayaki
Kshetra vruksha (Sacred tree): Bilva
This is a west facing temple with 3 tiered Rajagopuram and 2 parikramas. At the entrance of the temple there is an arch. At the top of this arch there are stucco images of Shri Rishabharudhar flanked by Shri Vinayaka and Shri Muruga. The temple tank is on the right side of the entrance. There is a shrine on the bank of the tank which is known as Shri Padithurai Vinayaka. In the outer parikrama facing the sanctum balipeetham Nandi and Dhwajastambha are at usual position. In front of the balipeetham there is a small shrine of Shri Vinayaka known as Shri Koodimara Vinayaka. The Shivalinga is facing the west in a separate shrine. At the entrance of the sanctum there are dwarpalakas on either side.
The Koshta murtis are Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Ardhnarishwarar, Shri Bramha & Shri Durga Devi. Shri Chandikeshwarar’s shrine is in the usual position. We come across Shri Bhairava, Shri Shanishwara, Shri Bala Murugan & Shri Navgraha, on the eastern side of parikrama. On southern side of inner parikrama we have the shrine of 63 Naayanmars. On the western side of inner parikrama we have the shrine of Shri Ganesha, Shri ThenKailashnadar, Shri Vad-Kaileshwara, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, Shri Vishnu and Shri Gajalaxmi Devi.
Shri Devi is housed in the south facing shrine to the right of Shri Shiva. At the entrance to a shrine we have sculpture of dwarapalakas. The idol of Shri Ambika is in the standing posture and she has 4 hands. In the upper right hand she has a garland, upper left hand a lotus flower and lower hands are showing Abhaya and Varada mudra. In the artha mandap there is shrine of Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivagami Devi. This temple was built by Chola Kings about 1000 years ago. The inscriptions mention the name of the Chola king who built this temple and also contributions made by other Chola kings.
Legend: The staunch Shiva devotees (couples) Nadasharma and Anavidyambika used to worship Shri Aiyyarappar of Thiruvaiyarur 3 times a day. They wished to merge with Shri Shiva and hence undertook a pilgrimage of Shiva temples. As mentioned in our earlier blog, they decided to have Tulasnanam in Kaveri at Mayiladuthurai during Kadaimugam and come back to Thiruvaiyur by night. As mentioned in earlier blog they had darshan of Shri Shiva and had the sacred bath on Mudadamuzzhuku. Shri Shiva told them not to worry about Night Pooja at Thiruvaiyur. He stayed there and manifested as Shri Aiyyarappar in the temple to the west of Mayurnathar temple. The couple went and worshiped Shri Shiva at this temple. Finally, Nadasharma merged with Shiva linga at Mayurnathar temple on the left side of Sanctum and his wife merged on the right side of mother’s shrine. Hence Shiva linga is dressed in red color saree. This indicates the oneness of male and female. It is customary now to worship at shrines of the couple before worshiping Mayurnathar.
Festivals:
Chitrai (Apr-May): Sapta sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai on Chaitra pornima
Vaikashi (May-June): 10 days of Bramhostav, Vishaka nakshatra festival
Aadi (July-Aug): Lakshadeepam festival on the last Friday, festival on the puram nakshatra
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Festival on the moola nakshatra
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Also known as Tula month. 30 days Tula snanam festival, Anna abhishek and Skandha shasti festival
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Somvar pooja
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar Sankranti
Maasi (Feb-March): Mahashivarati
Temple timing: 6am to 11am; 4pm to 8.30pm
Address – Shri Aiyarappar temple, Mayiladuthurai 609001
Phone # 91-4362260332; 91-9443008104
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs