Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai
About Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai
Located on the southern bank of the River Cauvery in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, this temple is an outstanding example of Dravidian architecture featuring a nine-tier Rajagopuram, Tridala Vimanam, expansive granite corridors, and richly sculpted mandapams. The main icon is a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam, with the presiding deity called Mayuranathar because Goddess Parvati performed penance here to worship Shiva. According to the Sthala Purana, Parvati was cursed to assume the form of a peahen and her devoted worship pleased Lord Shiva, giving both the deity and the town their names. The temple dates to the 7th century CE and was extensively rebuilt in stone during the Chola period by Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi, with numerous inscriptions recording donations and religious activities. The temple complex includes shrines dedicated to Abhayambikai, Murugan, Agastya Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Nataraja, and the 63 Nayanmars. Major festivals include Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, Aippasi Thula Snanam, Maha Shivaratri, Mayura Natyanjali, and the annual Masi Magam festival which draws lakhs of pilgrims.
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