Shiva temple at Thirumazhapadi

This is the place where Nandi’s marriage took place. This Shiva temple is located very close to Thiruvaiaru at Thirumazhapadi in Ariyalur district of TamilNadu. It is about 45 Kms from Trichi. It is one of the 276 Shiva temples revered by the Shaiva saints Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. This temple is on the Northern bank of river Kaveri.

This temple was build by Chola and Pandya kings and the temple must be 2000 years old.

Mulavar: Vaidyanadar Swami, Mazhuvadi-eshwar, Vayirathoon (Vajra-sthamba) Eshwar.

Devi: Sundar-ambika, Balambika

Kshetra vruksha: Palm tree (Panai in Tamil)

Sacred tirtha: Kollidam river, Laxmi tirtha, Shivaganga tirtha

Puranik name: Mazhawadi

The Shiva linga in this temple is swayambhoo. The temple is spread over 10 acres and has a lot of coconut and palm trees. It is surrounded by Sugarcane and Paddy fields. The Rajagopuram is facing the east and it is 7 tiered (about 108 feet tall). There is 2nd gopuram which is 5 tiered and about 80 feet tall.

Kolidam river flows towards the North but changes its course towards the South at this place.

About the idols and other shrines:

Idols of Somaskandha (in a single stone), Lord Dakshinamoorthy in vrushaba vahan, Ardhanarishwarar, Gajasamhar Moorthy, Purusha mruga rishi and Mahalaxmi worshiping the Lord are in separate part of the temple. Shiva did a tandav known as Mazhuva tandav (Mazhu is the name of type of battle axe in Tamil) for sage Markandeya. On the gopuams the puranik stories of Lord Shiva are depicted. In artha mandap (entrance hall), Lord Shiva’s idol is found with a battle axe in the right hand, a spear and a row in the other hand to contain Yama from taking away the life of Sage Markendeya. There are 2 shrines of Goddess Parvati namely Sundarambika and Balambika. In a separate shrine, Parvati, Subramanya and Lord Dakshinamoorthy are housed made from a single stone. In the shrine of Lord Bramha there are 4 Nandis, representing 4 vedas. There are 2 Lord Dakshinamoorthy shrines and a shrine of Kartikeya. There is a separate shrine of Nandi. The Navagrahas are bundled in a small square between Nandi and Shiva Linga outside the sanctum sanctorum. People light lamp and worship the Navagrahas in this pit as there’s no separate shrine for Navgraha. There are five Nandis in front of sanctum sanctorum. A 100 pillars mandap known as Somaskanda mandap houses the shrine of Nataraja.

Kshetra puran:

Sage Shilada performed severe penance to invoke Lord Shiva at Thiruvaiaru for a child boon. Lord advised him to perform putra kameshti yagnya. While tilling the land, the sage came across a box containing a child with three eyes, four shouders and a crescent moon. Shocked by this sight, sage closed the box hurriedly. On opening the box again, he found a beautiful normal child whom he named as JAPESAR (Nandi deva). Two celestial angles told the sage that the boy will live only for 16 years. At the age of 14, Japesar came to know about his fate. He did severe penance to please Lord Shiva.

Appreciating his penance, Lord gave him longevity. Later on he got him married to Suyas-ambika at this place. Japesar continued his penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva made him the chief of Shiva ganas and made him the main guard of Kailash. He named him Nandi deva.

Sage Purusha Mruga Rishi, established Shiva shrine at this place. Lord Bramha was unable to uproot it as he felt jealous. So the deity is known as Vajra stambha moorthy.

Those who worshiped at this place: 

Nandi dev, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Indra, Sage Markandeya, Sage known as Purusha Maharshi

Festivals:

1. In the Tamil month of Masi, Ratha festival is held.

2. Tamil month of masi, Mahashivatri is celebrated

3. Anna-abhishek in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov)

4. Deepam festival in the month of Kartikai.

5. Sapta sthanam festival in the month of Chitrai (April-May)