Thirumazhapadi Sri Vaidyanathaswami Temple, Ariyalur

Address

Thirumazhapadi Sri Vaidyanathaswami Temple, Tirumazhapadi, Ariyalur Taluk, Ariyalur District,PIN 621851 PH:9786205278

Diety

Vajrathampanathar, Amman: Sundarambikai, Balambikai

Introduction

Thirumazhapadi Vaidyanathaswami Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thirumazhapadi in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Vaidyanathaswami. His consort, Parvati, is known as Sundarambikai. The historical name of the place is Mazhuvadi. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. Thala Virutcham : Palm tree Theertham : Kollidam, Lakshmi, Sivaganga Agamam / Pooja : Kamya Agama

Puranic Significance

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.

Beliefs

Those suffering from severe diseases, bathe in the sacred spring and pray to Lord Vaidyanathaswami. Those suffering from high temperature offer boiled rice with rasam as nivedhana to Lord Jura Haraharar in the temple.

Special Features

There are two Ambika shrines – Balambika and Sundarambika. The wedding of Nandhi is celebrated on the Panguni Punarvasu star day in March-April. It is believed that those who attend this festival will get married soon Lord Somaskanda made of a single stone graces from a separate shrine. In the shrine of Lord Brahmma in the temple, there are four Nandis representing the four Vedas. There are two Lord Dakshinamurthi shrines and a shrine for Mother Katyayini. The temple is praised in the hymns of Saints Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. There are three pits between Lord Shiva and Nandhi which devotees consider as Navagrahas, light Deepas and pray. Sage Markandeya grants darshan in the temple on Vaikasi Visakam Star day holding a Mazhu-a battle axe-like weapon. Hence, the place is named Mazhuvadi.

Festivals

Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.