Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple, Mahendrapalli, Sirkazhi - 275 Shiva Temples

06. Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple, Mahendrapalli (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Thirumeniyazhagar, Sri Somasundarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Vadivambal, Sri Vadivambigai, Sri Vadivammai
Holy water (Theertham) : Mahendra Pushkarini.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Kandamaram, Thazhai, Vilvam.
Thevaram : Thirugnanasambandar 1
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Sirkazhi.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 06:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.

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This is the 6th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Saint Tirugnanasambandar has praised the Lord in his Thevaram hymns. The tower is clothed by the clouds, Mayendirapalli has many palaces, tanks with blossoming Lotus flowers where the Lord is on His bull vehicle. Let us all prostrate on His feet. Maha Shivrathri in February-March, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January. Panguni Uthiram in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

The rays of Sun fall on the Lord in the month of Panguni, March-April. Generally Lord Vishnu is called Azhagar-handsome, as He is fond of dressing. Lord Shiva in Mahendrapalli (near by village Koyiladippalayam) is celebrated as handsome-Azhagar. Sri Chandikeswara graces with his consort in the prakara. There is a separate shrine for Lord Sri Vinayaka with Ragu and Ketu on both sides. Lord Muruga graces from His shrine with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. There are shrines of Sri Kasiviswanatha – Mother Visalakshi, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Bhairavar and Saneeswarar-Saturn, Sun and Moon. There is no shrine for Navagrahas- 9 planets in the temple.

History / Legend:

Handsome Shiva is praised as Tirumeni Azhagar and Mother as Vadivambikai for their beauty. Saint Tirugnanasambandar addresses the Lord as Azhagar. Lord Vishnu in Madurai is also called Azhagar in Tamil and Sundararajan in Sanskrit. Lord Shiva is Azhagar in this temple. Lord Brahmma, Sun and Moon had worshipped in this temple. During the month of Panguni (March-April) the rays of Sun fall on the Lord. On the side wall of Shriva Shrine, Lord Dakshinamurthy graces.

For his wrong desire on Ahalya wife of Maharshi Gautama, Indira was cursed by the Rishi to have eyes throughout his body. He came to Earth and prayed to Lord Shiva for relief in many places and this is one among them. As Indira – Maha Indira worshiped here the place came to be known as Mahendirapalli. A temple was erected here later.

Shiva is said to have given the dharshan of his Cosmic Dance to the sages, Surya, Chandra, Indra and Brahma who worshiped Him.

It is in the pond (pushkarini) of this temple, Shri krishna conducted Tharpanam before Gurukshetra war and created BODHAYANA AMAVASYA. Both sun and moon are facing each other in this temple. Surya, Chandra and Indra have prayed this lord. This temple is also famous for its “SOORYA POOJA” in the month of Panguni.

Those suffering from the evil results of past birth (poorva janma karmas), those facing adverse effects due to Sun, Moon aspects in their horoscopes have a dip in the Brahmma theertha in the temple for remedies. As the holy spring is attributed to Lord Brahmma the Creator, it is the faith of the people that Brahamma would amend the destiny of the devotee favourably. Devotees also pray for relief from snake aspects and to gain excellence in academic pursuit.

Location: While going from Kollidam to Achalpuram, we have to travel further in the same route for about 7 kms from Achalpuram to reach this Shivastalam. This is a small sea shore temple renovated very recently and is surrounded by lots of fishermen houses. So going to this temple after 7 pm is not advisable. Also if you want to buy any archana materials, get it from Achalpuram or Chidambaram/Sirkazhi itself.