Sri Vaidyanathaswami Temple, Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur - 275 Shiva Temples

54. Sri Vaidyanathaswami Temple, Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Vajirathambeswarar, Sri Vairathoonnadar, Sri Mazhuvadeeswarar, Sri Vaithyanadar
Name of Goddess : Sri Sundarambigai, Sri Azhagambigai, Sri Balambigai
Holy water (Theertham) : Lakshmi Theertham, Kollidam.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Panai (palmyra palm).
Thevaram : Thirunavukarasar ; Sambandar ; Sundarar
District : Ariyalur.
Location : Ariyalur.
Timings : 06:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.

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This is the 54th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy temple is on the banks of the river Coleroon or Kollidam at Thirumazhapadi, in Ariyalur district. The Kollidam river flows northward here in the vicinity of the temple. It is at a distance of 45 km from Tiruchy. This temple is one of the padal petra sthalams. There are lot of inscriptions on the temple walls. Inscriptions say that this temple has received contributions from the kings of various dynasties viz Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, Hoysala & Maratha and of course the smaller rulers of Ariyalur.

There are two Dhakshinamoorthys and two Nandhis and two Ambal sannadhis.
Somaskandhar is made up of single stone looks very beautiful. Front of this there are two Vinayagars of one is in standing and other in sitting posture.
Lord appeared in Sundarar’s dream and called him to this temple.
Purusha Miruga Rishi brought the lingam from Sathyalogm and could not able to remove after worshiping, hence called as “Vairathoonoo”
There are many Rajaraja Chozhan period Tamil inscriptions on the moolavar out side walls.
Land donated to this temple is found in the Eengoimalai (near Trichy) temple kalvettu.
Huge size sudhai thwarabalakars.
There is no Navagraha sannadhi.
In the prakaram sannadhi for Vishnu & Saraswathy, Sundarar & Paravai Nachyar, Mahavishnu & Mahalakshmi, Jureswarar, Gajashamkaramoorthy, Sabthakanniagai.
Separate sannadhi for Balambigai.
Two tier mandapam along the outer walls.
This is also one of the temple which has the Sthala viruksham as Palm tree.
It is a big temple with Pallava, Chozha and Hoisala kings constructions.
Once in a year in Tamil month Panguni (Punarpusam) Nandhiyam Peruman’s marriage is celebrated in this temple in front of Sri Iyarrappan from Thiruvaiyaru.

Vaidyanathaswamy, the presiding deity of the temple is present here along with His Consort Sunarambigai. The Lord is also known as Mazhuvadeeswarar. There is a statue of Mazhuvadeeswarar in the ardhamandapam. He is seen with an axe in His right hand along with a spear and a rope. He is said to have saved Markandeya from Yama here also.

The majestic Rajagopuram is tall and seven-tiered facing the east. The second gopuram is five-tiered. As is the case with most temples, one can see a lot of sculptures on these gopurams.

This huge temple complex has separate temples for Vaidyanathaswamy and Sundarambigai. There are two Nandis one behind the other in front of the Sanctum sanatorium. Another unusual sight here is there are four Nandis in front of the idol of Brahma. These represent the four Vedas. There are no Navagraha idols in the temple. Instead, there are three pits between Lord Shiva and Nandi which devotees consider Navagrahas. Poojas to the Navagrahas is offered here.

The sthala vriksham is the palmyrah tree (Pana maram in Tamil). The entire area was once a forest of Palmyrah trees. Chembian Mahadevi, grandmother of Rajaraja the Great, hailed from Chembiakudi, which is 4 km from Thirumazhapadi. Kandaradithyam, where Kandraditha Chola was born is just about 15 km away from Thirumazhapadi.

Vaidyanathaswamy temple at Thirumazhapadi is associated with the Panchanadeeswara temple at Tiruvayaru, which is on the other side of the river and situated at a distance of about 15 km from Thirumazhapadi. In the Tamil month of Panguni on the Punarvasu star day, Nandi Kalyanam is celebrated. Lord Nandeeswara, the bridegroom from Thiruvayaru marries Goddess Swayambikai Devi of Thiumazhapadi temple. Nandi is dressed in Maratha attire and is brought in a palanquin to Thirumazhapadi, where he is accorded a ceremonial reception by none other than Vaidyanatha Swamy on the banks of the Coleroon. The priests of the temple perform the marriage of the Nandi. The newly wed Celestial couple are taken in a procession through the village. As per the Hindu marriage ritual the couple go around the ceremonial fire seven times. Shiva took the newly wed couple to seven Shiva temples around Thiruvaiyar. These seven temples are known as saptha sthanams. This group of temples is very close to each other and can be covered in one session. In the tamil month of Chittirai, the Deity (Utsavar) of Thiruvaiyar is carried on a palanquin to all these temples. This is a very important festival in these temples around Thiruvaiyar. These seven temples to be visited in order as follows:

1. Thiruvaiyaru
2. Thiruchotruthurai
3. Thiruvedikudi
4. Thirupponduruthi
5. Thillaisthanam
6. Kandiyur
7. Thiruppazhanam

The car (chariot) festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi. Those suffering from high fever offer boiled rice with rasam to Jurahareswarar and get relief. It is believed that having a bath in the temple tank will cure all illness. It is also believed that by visiting this temple unmarried will get married soon. Devotees firmly believe that praying at this temple will result in transfer and promotion.

History / Legend:

Sage Siladha, a resident of Tiruvaiyaru performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking child boon. A voice spoke to the sage telling him that his wish could be realized if he conducts the Puthrakameshti Yajna and he would get box with a child while tilling the land for the yagna. He was advised to bring up the child having longevity of just 16 years only. Siladha found the box and on opening it, found a child with 3 eyes, 4 shoulders and crescent moon adoring the head. Struck by a shock, he closed the box and opened again and found a child in normal human form. He named the child Japesar.

Japesar reached the age of 14 leaving just two years to complete the destined term of life. The sage was very sad. Knowing his father’s agony, Japesar started penance by standing on one leg on the Ayana Theertha tank in Tiruvaiyaru. The creatures of the tank slowly began to consume him. Japesar was not deterred by the danger. Lord Shiva, moved by his penance, cured him completely and granted a long life. Later, Japesar was married to Suyasambikai in Tirumazhapadi. Japesar continued his penance even after the marriage and was rewarded with a position as the chief of Shiva Ganas and further elevated as the first security chief at the first gate of Kailash and was named as Nandhi Deva.

Location: Bus facility is available from Trichy and Tanjore. Bus facility also available from Thirumaanoor, which is 6 KM from Thiruvaiyaru on Ariyaloor road. This temple is located 13 Kms from Tiruvaiyaru. One can reach Thirumazhapadi from Ariyalur also. This temple can be reached from Thiruvaiyaru and Ariyalur. From Thiruvaiyaru once you cross the Kollidam on the way to Ariyalur take a left at Thirumanur and proceed for about 6 kms to reach this temple. From Ariyalur it is about 33 kms. Take a right after Viragalur in the Thiruvaiyaru road and drive for about 14 kms to reach the temple.