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.
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