Shri Brahmapurishwarar Temple at Siddhar Kadu in Mayiladuthurai

This is one of the 7 Sapta sthanam shiva temples associated with Mayiladuthurai. It is located at Siddhar Kadu village in Mayiladuthurai, very near railway station. The temple is also known as Sambandhar temple. This is on the southern bank of Kaveri. This is the very old temple, no details are available about its construction period etc. It is presumed to be more than 1000 years old. We will update the details as soon as we get that. The area around this temple is known as Siddha vanam. 

Mulavar: Shri Brahmapurishwarar

Devi: Shri Tripurasundari

Kshetra puran:

Once saint Sambandhar was on his way to worship Shri Margasahayeshwarar at Moovelur. When he reached Siddhar Kadu (this place), the path leading to Moovelur appeared to be covered with Shivalingas. As he did not wish to tread the Shivalinga, he stood near the temple tank at this place and worshiped Shri Margasahayeshwarar from this place. 

About temple:

This is west facing temple with 3 tier Rajagopuram. Shri Nandi & Balipeeth are facing the sanctum. Shiva linga faces the west and the sanctum is shaped like a lingam. On the right hand side of the entrance to the sanctum we come across an idol of Shaiva saint Shri Sambandhar with folded hands. 

Koshta murthis are Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha & Shri Durga Devi. There is a shrine for Shri Chandra on the right hand side of the sanctum. Shri Ambika is housed in a separate shrine facing the south. This shrine is in the mahamandap which also houses Shri Nataraja. In a separate shrine we come across the Shaiva saint Nalavar. Sambandhar, Sundarar and Appar are in standing posture whereas the fourth saint Manikvasagar is in a sitting worshiping posture. 

Other shrines and idols:

Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, Saint Appar, Shri Kashivishwanatha and Shri Vishalakshi Devi, Nagas, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Bhairava & Banalinga. The temple tank is opposite to the temple and is known as Sambandhar kulam.

In this place we come across, Jiva samadhis of Sirkazhi Chitrambala Nadigal, along with his 63 disciples. There is a stone inscription which gives this information.

As said above we do not have much information about this temple. We will update this article as and when we receive more updates.

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs

Shri Kashi Vishwanathar Temple at Thulakattam in Mayiladuthurai

This is one of the seven sapthasthan temples located at Mayiladuthurai. The temple is situated on the northern bank of Kaveri. This is a west facing temple. Instead of a rajagopuram we come across an arch at the entrance. There is a stucco image of Rishabharudhar in the arch. 

Mulavar: Shri Kashi Vishwanathar 

Devi: Shri Vishalakshi

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Kshetra Purana: 

Once the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati approached Sage Kanva at Kashi. They wanted to purify themselves from the sins left behind by the people who bath in them. He advised them to go to Tula Kattam at Mayiladuthurai in the month of Aippassi (Tula) and have Tula snanam. They came to this place, had a holy dip. They got purified and they got back their duty. They worshiped Shri Kashi Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi at this place.

About temple:

The Shiva linga is housed in a shrine facing the west. The sanctum is in a form of a linga. Koshta murtis are Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamurty, Shri Lingothbhava, Shri Brahma and Shri Durga Devi. Shri Chandikeshwar shrine is located in the usual position. Shri Ambika Devi is placed in a separate south facing shrine. The shrines of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi are connected by a mandap. Idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi is in the kostha of Shri Ambika Devi’s shrine. Next to Shri Ambika Devi’s shrine we come across Shri Nataraj depicted in the form of Yantra. In the temple prakara we come across the shrines of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, and Shri Nardhana Ganapati. Shri Rahu is depicted with a lion’s face and is mounted on a lion. In the northwest side of parikrama we find a kshetra vruksha. We find the idols of Shri Naga under the tree.

In the mantra marga siddha (a sect of Shaivism) Shri Shiva is considered as supreme. He is depicted with a five faces and 10 hands. This form is considered as one of the twenty five Maheshwar murtis of Shri Shiva. He is believed to be always accompanied by rudra ganas, Siddhas, Sages and divine beings. According to belief, the sages worshiping Shri Sadashiva worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. There is a Shiva Linga in the temple which is being maintained by Adi Shaiva community. 

Those who worshiped here: 

1. Sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. 2. Sage Kanva worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. He was bestowed with Yogic powers and Sangyayoga by Shri Shiva.

Festivals:

Chitrai (Apr-May): Saptasthana festival of Mayiladuthurai.

Aippasi (Aug-Sept): Tula snanam as explained earlier in this blog, Skandasashthi, Annabhishek

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadurai, Arudra darshan

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Mondays

Also Sankashti, Pradosha puja and pujas on New moon and Full moon days are performed.

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs

Shri Azhagiyanathar temple at Sozhanpettai (near Mayiladuthurai)

This is one of the seven Sapta sthana temples of Mayiladuthurai located at Sozhanpettai on the northern bank of river Kaveri. This temple was built by the Chola king in the 3rd century. Originally the temple was brick construction. Later, Chola queen Chembian Mahadevi built the present structure. Later the renovations were done by Nayakar kings. 

Mulavar: Shri Azhagiyanather, Shri Kalyansundarar

Devi: Shri Dharmasamvardhini, Shri Aramvalarthanayaki

This is an east facing temple. The balipeetham and Nandi face the sanctum. Next to the balipeetham, there is a dhwajastambha with Shri Vinayaka known as Shri Dhawajastambha Vinayaka. Maha mandap looks like a head of a bat. The Shiva linga is facing east. The sanctum looks like a lingam. Devi is in a separate East facing shrine to the left of sanctum. Shri Chandikeshwar shrine is in the usual position. Shri Surya is in a separate shrine opposite to Shri Devi’s shrine. The idol of Shri Surya is about 7 feet in height. 

Other shrines and idols - Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Bhairava, Shri Shanishwar, Shri Balamuruga, Shaiva saint Sambandhar. 

On the wall there is a sculpture which depicts Bheema of Pandav brothers fighting a purusha mruga. 

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

*On the day of Chaitra purnina, Shri Azhagiyanather and Shri Aramvalarthanayaki Devi along with the idols of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi from the other 6 temples go in procession around Mayiladuthurai and finally gather at this temple. Then they take the blessings of Shri Muruga and go back to their respective places.

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs

दिवाळीचा उगम आणि महत्व

सर्वांना दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा. ही दिवाळी आपणा सर्वांस आणि आपल्या प्रियजनांस शुभदायक होवो.

ह्या लघु लेखामध्ये दिवाळी सणाचा उगम कसा झाला तसेच दिवाळीतील लक्ष्मीपूजेचं महत्व ह्याची थोडक्यात माहिती देण्याचा प्रयत्न केला आहे. ही माहिती थोर संत आणि आचार्यांच्या प्रवचनांमधून संकलित केली आहे. ह्यामध्ये काही त्रुटी आढळल्यास जरूर कळवाव्या.

ग्रंथांमध्ये जशी भगवद्गीता हि श्रेष्ठ मानली जाते, त्याचप्रमाणे सणांमध्ये दिवाळी सण हा श्रेष्ठ मानला जातो. ह्या सणाचं खरं नाव आहे दीपावली. “दीप” आणि “आवली” ह्या शब्दांनी हे नाव तयार झाले आहे. अवली म्हणजे रांग. दीपांची रांग म्हणून दीपावली.

दीपावलीची सुरुवात होते ती नरकचतुर्दशीच्या अभ्यंगस्नानाने. अभ्यंग म्हणजे तेल लावणे किंवा तेल चोळणे. ह्यादिवशी ब्रह्ममुहूर्तावर (सूर्योदयाच्या १ तास ३६ मिनिटे आधी चालू होऊन ४८ मिनिटांपर्यंतच्या काळाला ब्रह्ममुहूर्त म्हणतात) डोक्यावर तिळाचं तेल चोळून गरम पाण्याने स्नान केले जाते.

तैले लक्ष्मी: जले गंगा

- तुला मास माहात्म्य

असा समज आहे कि भूमादेवीला मिळालेल्या वरदानानुसार ह्या दिवशी ह्या वेळी तिळाच्या तेलामध्ये लक्ष्मीदेवीचा वास असतो तर गरम पाण्यामध्ये गंगेचा वास असतो आणि म्हणून ह्या स्नानामुळे गंगेमध्ये स्नान केल्याचं पुण्य मिळतं आणि लक्ष्मीदेवीचा पण आशीर्वाद मिळतो.

तिळाचं तेल डोक्यावर चोळताना एक श्लोक म्हणायचा असतो. ह्या श्लोकामध्ये ७ चिरंजीव (अश्वत्थामा, बली राजा, महर्षी व्यास, हनुमान, विभीषण, कृपाचार्य आणि परशुराम) ह्यांचा उल्लेख आहे. ह्या ७ चिरंजिवांच्या आशीर्वादाने आरोग्य आणि दीर्घायुष्य प्राप्त होतं असा समज आहे.

अश्वत्थामा बलिर्व्यासो हनुमानश्च विभीषण: ।

कृप: परशुरामश्च सप्तै: ते चिरञ्जीविनः ||

त्याचबरोबर स्नान करताना श्री सत्यभामा देवी, भगवान श्रीकृष्ण, नरकासुर आणि भूमादेवी ह्यांच्या कथेचं चिंतन करावं. ह्या कथेतूनच दीपावलीचा सणाचा उगम झाला. 

ती कथा अशी आहे. आसाम प्रदेशातल्या प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरं मध्ये बौमन नावाचा राजा होता ज्यालाच नरकासुर असं नाव पडलं. हा भूमादेवीचा (पृथ्वी) पुत्र होता. अनेक तपश्चर्या करून त्याने बरीच वरदानं मिळवली होती ज्यातलं एक वरदान असं होतं की त्याला मरण आलं तर ते फक्त त्याच्या आईकडूनच त्याची हत्या झाली तर. अर्थात आई कधी आपल्या मुलाची हत्या करीत नाही त्यामुळे त्याचं मरण अशक्यच होतं. आणि त्यामुळे तो उन्मत्त झाला आणि त्याने लोकांवर अत्याचार करायला चालू केलं. त्याने १६००० स्त्रियांचं अपहरण करून त्यांना बंदिस्त केलं होतं. भगवान श्रीकृष्णांनी नरकासुराचा अंत करायचं ठरवलं. त्यांनी त्यांच्या पत्नी श्री सत्यभामा ह्यांना पण बरोबर घेतलं. ह्याचं कारण नरकासुराला मिळालेलं वरदान भगवान श्रीकृष्णांना ज्ञात होतं. श्री सत्यभामा ह्या भूमादेवीच्याच अवतार होत्या. त्यामुळे फक्त त्यांच्या हातूनच नरकासुराचा वध शक्य होता. अर्थात भगवान श्रीकृष्णांच्या संकल्पानुसार नरकासुराचा वध झाला. नरकासुराचा वध झाल्यावर भूमादेवींना पुत्रवियोगामुळे खूप दुःख झालं. पण त्यांनी विचार असा केला कि आपल्या पुत्राचं भाग्य थोर कि ज्यामुळे त्याला प्रत्यक्ष भगवंतांकडून मरण आलं. मरणाच्या वेळी प्रत्यक्ष भगवंत समोर असणं हे भाग्याचं लक्षण आहे. तसंच त्यांनी अशी पण प्रार्थना केली कि ह्यापुढे हा दिवस मंगलमय उत्साहपूर्ण वातावरणामध्ये साजरा व्हावा, सर्व लोकांनी नवीन वस्त्रे परिधान करून स्वादिष्ट फराळ करावा आणि तसेच त्यांना ब्रह्ममुहूर्तावर तिळाचं तेल डोक्याला चोळून गरम पाण्याचं स्नान केल्यामुळे श्री गंगादेवी आणि श्री लक्ष्मीदेवी ह्यांचे आशीर्वाद प्राप्त व्हावेत. आणि तिथूनच नरकचतुर्दशी म्हणजेच दीपावली सण साजरा होण्यास सुरवात झाली. भूमादेवींच्या ह्या निःस्वार्थी आणि परोपकारी भावनेला प्रणाम केल्याशिवाय दीपावली उत्सव पूर्ण होत नाही. 

दीपावलीचा अजून एक महत्वाचा भाग म्हणजे श्री लक्ष्मी पूजा. प्रचलित पूजा हि धन-लक्ष्मीची पूजा आहे. पण खरं धन हे पैसे नव्हे. लक्ष्मी हा शब्द लक्ष्य ह्या शब्दापासून आला आहे. मनुष्य जीवनाच्या परम ध्येयावर म्हणजेच मुक्तीवर लक्ष्य ठेवून त्या लक्ष्यप्राप्तीसाठी लागणाऱ्या साधनांची आणि गुणांची प्राप्ती व्हावी ह्या इच्छेने केलेली पूजा ती खरी लक्ष्मी पूजा. 

Shri Margasahayeshwarar temple at Moovalur

This Shiva temple is one of the seven Sapta sthana Shiva temples of Mayiladuthurai. It is situated at Muvalur village near Mayiladuthurai. It is situated to the west of Mayurnathar temple on the southern bank of Kaveri at a distance of 3 km from Mayiladuthurai. This temple is mentioned in the hymns sung by the Shaiva saint Appar. Hence it is a Thevera vaippu sthalam. This is also one of the Pancha Dakshinamurti sthalam of Mayiladuthurai. This temple is one of the Vallal temples of Mayiladuthurai. Muvalur is the birthplace of Namashivay Murtigal, the first seer of the Thiruvaduthirai Adheenam. This temple is the nakshatra temple for nakshatra Uttara. 

Mulavar: Shri Margasahayeshwarar, Shri Margasahayar, Shri Vazhikattum Vallal, Shri Punnad Vaneshwarar

Devi: Shri Mangalambika, Shri Soundarya nayaki

Sacred tree: Punnag (Punnai in Tamil)

Sacred teertha: river Kaveri, Chandra teertha, Durga teertha, Upamanyu koopam

Puranik name: Punnag vanam

The present temple is about 1300 years old and was constructed by the Cholas and was renovated by Pandya and Vijaynagar kings. There are stone inscriptions in the temple which denote the various contributions done by the kings. This is an east facing temple with a 5-tiered Rajagopuram. It has 2 parikramas and occupies an area of 1.5 acre. At the entrance to the sanctum, we have the shrines of Shri Vinayaka and Shri Muruga. At the entrance we have Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi in their usual positions. The Balipeeth is flanked by 4 Nandis at 4 corners. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, Artha mandap and Maha mandap which looks like the forehead of a bat. In the Artha mandap we come across shrines of Shri Maha Ganapati, Shri Sapta matrikas and Sapta Nagas. At the entrance to the sanctum we have the dwarpalakas Shri Aalkondar and Shri Uyyakondar. The Shiva linga is facing East. The koshta murtis are Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha, Shri Durga Devi. Besides these we come across Shri Pippalanar, Shri Chandrasenar, Shri Veersenar, Shri Kannasenar, Shri Karkotaka. Shri Chandikeshwar shrine is in the usual position. Shri Dakshinamurti at this place is known as Shri Medha Dakshinamurti. He has 4 disciples under his feet. There are 2 demons namely Muyalagan and Sangathiyar. Beside this, we also observe the face of an elephant, lion, a deer under the feet.

In the Mahamandap, there is a separate south facing shrine in which Shri Soundaryanayaki Devi is housed. In the Artha Mandap, Shri Mangalambika Devi is housed in a south facing shrine. 

Other shrines and Idols:  In the outer parikrama, we come across the following – 3 idols of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Annamalayar and Shri Unnamalai amman. Shri Kaashi Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi; Shri Sundareshwar and Shri Meenakshi Devi, Shri Ardhanareeshwarar, Shri  Gajalakshmi, Shri Sadashiv, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Nataraja, Shri Bhairavar, Shri Shanishwarar, Nalvar (the 4 Shaiva saints), Shri Ganesha, Navagraha, Shaiva saint Sambandhar, King Daksha, Shri Skandha, Shri Muruga with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. Under a tree, there is a shrine which houses, Shri Aadimarga Sahayyar. There is a very old jackfruit tree.

Kshetra puran: 

Tarakasur was slayed by Shri Kartikeya. Tarakasur’s three sons did severe penance and obtained boon from Shri Bramha. Though they wanted immortality, Shri Bramha refused to oblige them. They obtained a boon by which they could get three fortresses which could be destroyed by only one arrow. They built an iron fort on the earth, silver fort in the sky and a gold fort in heaven. These forts had the ability to be mobile and fly. They would appear in a line when the moon was in pushya nakshatra for a few moments once in thousand years. The three sons of Tarakasur started torturing and tormenting one and all. One of the sons namely Mayasur, was an ardent devotee of Shri Shiva. Unable to bear, the atrocities of asuras, Devas under the leadership of Shri Indra, approached Shri Bramha who directed them to Shri Shiva. Shri Shiva sent Nandi along with the Devas to fight the asuras. Due to the magical power of water from Tripura, the asuras were getting revived even after they were killed. Once the three forts aligned on a day when moon was in pushya nakshatra at that time Shri Shiva made a chariot with Sun & Moon as its wheels, Shri Bramha was holding the reins, Mount Meru was the bow, Vasuki as arrow and Vayu was the feather in the arrow. At that time, as the chariot did not move ahead, Shri Vishnu became a bull and dragged the chariot. Later he became the flag of the chariot. Even then Shri Shiva did not sting the arrow. When Shri Shiva did not release the arrow, even when he was ready, Shri Bramha and Shri Vishnu, reprimanded Him. The reason Shri Shiva was holding to release his arrow was that, his devotee Mayasur was in the Tripuram. He sent Nandi to inform him ahead of His releasing the arrow. Mayasur fled the Tripura and then Shri Shiva burnt the Tripura into ashes by releasing the arrow. Shri Bramha and Shri Vishnu acquired a sin as they had ridiculed Shri Shiva. Hence, they approached Shri Shiva for atonement. He directed them to Punnagavan (this place) and stated that He will appear as a Linga. He guided them as a hunter to the Linga in Punnagvan. As He showed the way (marga) and helped (sahaya) for performing the pooja, He is addressed as Shri Margasahayar. He is also known as Shri Tripuram Erritha (burnt) Peruman. This place got the name Muvalur as Shri Bramha, Shri Vishnu and Shri Shiva came to this place together.

Slaying of Mahishasur:  Mahishasur who was the son of demon Rambh and half woman, half buffalo Mahishi. He got a boon from Shri Agni that he will rule all the three worlds. He also got a boon from Shri Shiva that he will be killed only by a woman. When Devas were tormented by Mahishasur they approached Shri Bramha, Shri Vishnu and Shri Shiva. Shri Shiva directed, Shri Durga Devi to slay the asur. After she slayed Mahishasur, she became ugly and ferocious due to sin of killing the asura. She approach Shri Shiva for atonement. He directed Her to this place and asked Her to do penance.  She came to this place, created a tank (teertha) and worshiped Shri Shiva after taking bath in the teertha. She regained her original form of Shri Parvati Devi. Later He married Her at this place. 

As per the Kshetra puran, it is believed that Bheema (of Pandavas) fought a purusha mruga at this place after worshiping Shri Shiva. This is depicted on the wall. 

Festivals:  

Chitrai (Apr-May): Brahmotsav, Chaitra Pournima

Vaikasi (May-June): Vaishaki Vishakham, Kalyan Mahotsav

Aani (Jun-July): Thirumanjanam

Aadi (July-Aug): Adi Puram

Aavni (Aug-Sept): Vinayak Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek, Skanda shashthi

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai, Karthigai Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar sankranti, Pongal

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri

Panguni (Mar-Apr): Panguni Uttaram, a marriage festival of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi is conducted in Tamil month of Panguni. 

Prayers – This is a Parihar sthala for skin and eye deceases. People light 11 ghee lamps, perform abhishek with milk and archana for Lord Shiva for getting rid of the deceases.

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs

Shri Punugeeshwarar temple at Mayiladuthurai

This is one of the seven saptasthana shiva temples associated with Mayiladuthurai. It is located in Mayiladuthurai city and area known as Kurainadu which is famous for a saree known as Karai saree. The temple was built by Chola king and present structure is about 1200 years old.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri Punugeeshwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri Shantnayaki

Kshetra Vruksha: Coral Jasmin (Parijatak)

This is a west facing temple with a five tiered Rajagopuram and has two parikramas. At the entrance there is an arch on which there is a stucco images of Shiv Linga worshiped by a civet (Punugu in tamil) which is member of cat family. On each side we have stucco images of Shri Muruga and Shri Vinayaka. At the entrance to the inner parikrama there is a tiered gopuram. At the entrance on the pillars we come across stucco images of Shri Ardhanarishwarar and Shri Durga Devi. Facing the sanctum we have Shri Nandi, Dhwajastambha and Balipeetham in their usual positions.

Shri Shiva is facing the west and the shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. All west facing shiva temples are considered to be more powerful and auspicious. This temple is replica of Shri Vaitheeshwaran Kovil. Hence this is a Parihar sthala for disease and illness. The sanctum is linga shaped. The koshtha murtis are Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingothbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi with Shri Chandikeshwar in usual position. On the walls of the sanctum there is an idol of Shri Jwarahareshwarar and Shri Ganesha.  

Shri Ambika Devi is housed in a south facing shrine to the right side of sanctum in the outer parikrama. She is in standing posture with four hands. The upper hands carry a paash (Noose) and Ankush. The lower hands have varad and abhay mudra. In the parikrama of this shrine, there is a shrine for Shri Chandikeshwari. A nandi and a balipeeth are facing her. At the center of a temple tank there is a mandap with an idol of Nandi.

Shrines of utsava murti Shri Villendyavelavar (velan holding a bow), Shri Shanmukha, Shri Varadavinayaka, Shri Ayyarappar, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Nataraja, Navagraha, Shri Surya, Shri Somaskandha, Shri Anjaneya, Sixty three Nayanmars, Nalvar, Nesa Nayanar, Shri Chandra, and Shri Bhairav are in the inner prakaram. In the outer parikrama we have a shrine of Shri Nartana Vinayaka and Sahasra linga. 

Kshetra Purana:

Shri Indra was cursed to become a civet cat for attending Daksha yadnya by Shri Shiva. As an atonement and to get rid of curse he was directed to worship at this place by Shri Shiva. Shri Indra came to this forest as a civet cat and worshiped Shri Shiva. He got rid of the curse at this place. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Punugeeshwarar and there is an idol depicting a civet cat worshiping Shiva Linga. 

Once upon a time this area was a dense forest with coral jasmine trees. It is believed that Shri Shiva appeared as a swayambhu linga for Shri Brahma and Shri Vishnu to worship him. 

According to another purana, a civet cat used to worship Shri Shiva with Bilva leaves. Pleased with his worship Shri Shiva blessed the cat and gave it divine status. Hence Shri Brahma and Shri Indra came here to worship Shri Shiva.

Shiva Nesa Nayanar: He was a Shaiva saint and one of the 63 Nayanmars. He was a weaver by profession and he always donated cloth (loin cloth) to devotees of Shri Shiva. He was born in Bellari in Andra Pradesh and came to this place which was known as Kurainadu. He used to chant panchakashari constantly. Pleased with his devotion and worship Shri Shiva gave him mukti and placed in Kailash.

Kurainadu: A special type of saree known as Kurai saree for the muhurat in marriages used to be woven at this place. Hence this place is known as Kurainadu which is at present part of Mayiladuthurai.

Festivals:

Chitrai (Apr-May): Sapta sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai on Chaitra pornima. During this festival the utsav murtis of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi from all the seven temples are taken in procession.

Vaikashi (May-June): 10 days of Bramhostav, Vishaka nakshatra festival

Aadi (July-Aug): Lakshadwipam 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, Arudradarshan

Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar Sankranti

Maasi (Feb-March): Mahashivaratri

Courtesy: Various websites and blog