Thirumazhapadi

Padal Petra Sthalams, Ariyalur District

God

Vajirathambeswarar, Vairathoonnadar, Mazhuvadeeswarar, Vaithyanadar. The main deity is a suyambu (self occuring) Lingam and faces east.

Goddess

Sundarambigai, Azhagambigai, Balambigai, facing east

Other Deities

Kathyayani, Sapthamangayar, 63 Nayanmars, Ganesha, Somaskandar, Subramanian, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Kailasanadhar, Mahavishnu, Mahalakshmi, Ayyarappar, Saraswati, Sokkanadhar, Meenakshi, Lingams, Balambigai, Twin Nandis, Vaithyanathaswamy, Dakshinamoorthy, Annamalayar, 4 nandis, Brahma, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Agora Veerabhadhran, Vinayagar, Subramaniar

Thirumazhapadi is a beautiful Siva Temple situated on the banks of the Kollidam River.If you visit in the evening you can spend a peaceful hour just sitting here and enjoying the soltitude, admire the sheer size of the temple and immerse yourself in its long history. Thirumazhapadi is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams (sung in the Thevarams hymns by the three great Saivite Saints). Thirumazhapadi Temple faces east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is east of the amman shrine.

Holy water (Theertham) – Lakshmi Theertham, Kollidam

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Panai (Palmyra Palm, Borassus flabellifer)

History

Thirumazhapadi temple is more than 1200 years old. All 3 saivite saints (Thirinavukkarasar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundaramoorthy – 7th to 8th Century CE) have visited and rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here.

Legend

Indra is believed to have prayed here at Thirumazhapadi. Chandran’s sins have been cleansed here. Nandi is believed to have married here at Thirumazhapadi.

Directions

Thirumazhapadi 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 Thirumazhapadi.

Stay and Food

Nothing locally. It is advisable to stay in Thanjavur or Ariyalur. Thanjavur has a lot of very good vegetarian restaurants providing different cuisines. Ariyalur is only moderate in terms of food and stay and it may not provide the same satisfaction as staying in Thanjavur.