Sri Mahalakshminathar Temple, Tirunindriyur, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

19. Sri Mahalakshminathar Temple, Tirunindriyur, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Mahalakshmeesar, Sri Lakshmipureeswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Loganayagi, Sri Ulaga Nayaki
Holy water (Theertham) : Neela Poigai.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vilwa.
Thevaram : Sambandar - 1 ; Thirunaavukaarasar - 1 ; Sundarar - 2
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.

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This is the 19th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Saints Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This temple has a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Lord Vinayaka in the temple is praised as Selva Ganapathy gracing in the prakara. Pujas are performed to Him on Anusha star day. Those facing debt burdens pray to Vinayaka for relief. Muyalagan the symbol of ignorance under the feet of Lord Dakshinamurthy is on the left side with a serpent in his hand. There is shrine for Lord Muruga gracing with His consorts Valli and Deivanai on His peacock vehicle.

Lakshmipureeswarar temple is at Thiruninriyur. Thiruninriyur is about 6.5 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil on the way to Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram. This is a Padal Petra Sthalam. This is an East facing Mada temple, meaning it is built over a raised platform. The main deity is Lakshmipureeswarar and his Consort is Ulaganayaki. The Lingam here is one of the 64 Swayambhu Lingams. Lakshmi and Vishnu have worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lakshmi was granted the boon of winning Vishnu’s heart, hence the name Lakshmipureeswaraar. Lord Shiva here is known as Mahalakshmeesar also. There are separate shrines for Vinayakar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi, the Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Chandran and the Shivalingam worshipped by Parasurama.

This temple is to be visited for gaining Kubera Sampathu or prosperity. While Kubera is the Lord of Wealth and is responsible for the distribution of the same, Goddess Lakshmi is the creator of wealth. In other words Kubera is the treasurer while the Goddess is the CFO. Goddess Lakshmi is one of the most worshipped deities. She is the Goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.

Lakshmi is usually seen sitting or standing on a lotus in the ocean of milk symbolising purity, peace and prosperity. Her four arms signify Purity, Prosperity, Perfection and Freedom from bondage. The gold coins flowing out of her hand signifies prosperity. Her right hand is in abhayahastha mudra or hand held in the posture of blessing.

This temple is one among the temples dedicated for each of the 27 Nakshatrams or Birth-stars. This temple is dedicated to Anusham. People born under this star greatly benefit by worshiping here at least once every year.

History / Legend:

The Sanskrit name for this place is Varthi Nirvapanapuram, which means Tirininravur in Tamil. Tiri means wick and ninravur means place where it was put off. A Chola King used to pass through Thiruninriyur every night after worshiping at Sirkali. As he was passing through this village, the lamps carried by his entourage used to go off. Intrigued, he wanted to check it out and went to the same place in the morning. He saw Kamadhenu descending into the forest. He proceeded to the spot where Kamadhenu had descended. He cleared the bushes with his sword and made his way through the thicket. While doing so, his sword hit something and he saw blood sprouting from that particular spot. He spotted a Shiva Lingam in the undergrowth, from which the blood was oozing. The hole that the Chola King inadvertently made on top of the Shiva Lingam is still seen. He built a temple at the same spot which is now Lakshmipureeswarar Temple at Thiruninriyur.

Sun and Moon are facing each other in the temple. People pray here on the new moon day for salvation of ancestors. The axe scar on the Shivalinga is visible even now. The Parasurama Linga worshipped by Sage Parasurama is in the prakara. The Jamadakneeswara Linga is small in size and the Parikeswara Linga is big in size with Lord Mahavishnu by the side. There are three tanks around the temple as a garland praised as Neela Malar Poigai by Saint Sambandar. Those praying here will have a peaceful life free of ailments, fear and sins, it is believed. Devotees perform abishek to Lord Shiva with Madhulai fruit pearls.

Sage Jamadhagni commanded his son Sage Parasuram to chop off the head of his mother (his wife) Renukadevi as she wondered at the handsomeness of a Gandharva in the reflection of water. Obeying father, the son did it but got back the mother through the boon from father. For committing the sin of killing the mother, he worshipped Lord Shiva here for peace. Jamadhagni too repented here for his hasty decision. Lord Shiva granted darshan to both father and son.

As Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here and was blessed, the Lord is praised as Mahalakshmeeswarar.

Location: This temple can be reached by travelling on the Sirkazhi - Mayildathurai road and getting down at Thirunindriyur.