Thiru Mazhapadi, Sri Vaidhyanadhar Temple, Ariyalore.

Thiru Mazhapadi, Sri Vaidhyanadhar Temple.



This place Thiru Mazhapadi is about 28 kms south of Ariyaloore on the banks of River Kollidam.




This place is one of the 274 Siva Devara Sthalams.









The Main Raja Gopuram is of seven tiers. There are three prakaram in the temple.








We see Nandi in a mandapam and Dwajasthambam to front.








As we enter in we see two more Nandi here.







Teertham is River Kollidam, Lakshmi and Sivagangai Teertham.











Sthala Vruksham is Palm Tree.










The place was full of Palm tree hence it is known as Talavanam. Lord Siva with his Mazhu (axe like weapon) blessed Sage Markandeya, hence the place is also known as Mazhapadi.










Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vaidhyanadhar / Mazhuvadeesar and his consort known as Soundaraambikai and Balambikai in separate Shrines.



As we go around the prakaram we see deities like Sundara Vinayakar, Murugan, Akora Veerabadharar,









Somaskandar, Meenakshi, Durgai, Thirumaal, Mahalakshmi, Sundarar, Meenakshi, Chokkanadhar, Durgai, Jurahareswarar, Kalasamhara Moorthy, Kathyayini, Natarajar









We see two Dakshina Moorthy in the temple.









Lord Somaskandar idol is made of single stone.










In the shrine of Lord Brahma we see four Nandi represting four Vedas.









We see kalyana Mandapam named as Nandi Kalyana Mandapam.
Nandikeswarar and Suasambikai marriage took place in this place in the Tamil month Panguni (March / April) on the day of Punarpusam star. This day is celebrated every year as a festival in this temple.




Sthala Purana says Sage Siladha muni of Thiruvayaru performed penance on Lord Siva to bless him with child. He heard a voice asking him to perform Putharakamesti yagam. He was told he will find a child in a box while he is preparing the land for Yagnam. He was asked to bring up that child, who is blessed with just 16 years of life span.



Sage while he tilled the land found the box and when he opened it he found a child in it with three eyes four shoulders and crescent moon adoring the head. He was surprised and closed the box. Once again when he opened the box he saw a child in it. He took the child and named him as Japesar. As the child grew the sage was worried and sad. When the child was fourteen years he started penancing with single leg on the bank of Ayana teertham of Thiruvayaru. His penance was so severe the creatures in the tank started consuming his body. Lord Siva was pleased with his penance, cured him and blessed him long life.




Japesar was married to Suasambikai in Thirumazapadi. Japaser continued his penance even after the marriage. He was made chief of the Siva Ganas. He was named as Nandi Devar and he is security chief at the first gate of Kailash.



Sundarar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva here. Stone inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Hoysala period are found.