Mayiladuthurai
Mayilāduthurai (Tamil: மயிலாடுதுறை, mayilāṭurai), formerly known by its Sanskrit name Māyavaram or Mayuram (English translation: Peacock town) is a town in the Nagapattinam District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai taluk of Nagapattinam district and is the second-largest town in the district. Mayiladuthurai is situated at distance of 281 kilometres south-west of Chennai, 70 kilometres north-east of Thanjavur and 50 kilometres north-west of Nagapattinam.
Mayiladuthurai is of considerable antiquity and cultural and religious significance. The town must have originated in the Medieval Chola period though there are suburbs which predate the town itself. Mayiladuthurai was ruled by the Early Cholas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas before it was annexed by the British East India Company along with the rest of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom in 1799. It rose to be an important town during British rule when it formed a part of Tanjore district. The town was constituted as a grade III municipality in the year 1866. Currently, Mayiladuthurai forms a grade I municipality.
The town is situated on a flat plain on the banks of the Kaveri River and is surrounded by paddy fields. The town is situated on the northern border of the Chola Nadu region of Tamil Nadu
Etymology:
Mayiladuthurai gets its name from the Mayura (peacock) form in which the Hindu goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva at this place.[1] While previously known by its Sanskrit name Mayuram meaning "peacock town", the town has been recently de-Sanskritized to its Tamil name Mayiladuthurai also meaning "peacock town" in the wake of the Dravidian Movement. The Mayooranathaswami Temple dedicated to the goddess Parvathi is one of the most important Hindu temples in the town.
History:
Mayiladuthurai is of great antiquity, its oldest extant temples dating to the time of the Medieval Cholas. There have been references to Mayiladuthurai in the works of the 7th century Saivite saint Campantar.[2] The Thanjavur Nayak king Rajagopala Nayak constructed mandapams in Mayiladuthurai
Temples in and around Mayiladuthurai :
Utha Vadieshwarar Temple - The Utha Vaideshwarar Temple, also called the 'big temple' is a temple dedicated to Shiva Located at Kuttalam.
Mayooranathar Temple - The Mayooranathar Temple, also called the 'big temple' is a temple dedicated to Shiva where Thevaram is recited.
Vallalar Temple - Vallalar Temple in the northern bank of river Cauvery is a famous Shiva temple known for its Guru shrine.
Ayyarapper Temple - Ayyarapper Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is located at the center of the city. ThulA Festival is famous in this temple and it is celebrated in the month of October.
Parimala Ranganathar temple - Parimala Ranganathar temple, the Vishnu temple in Thiru-Indalur suburb is one among the 108 Dhivya Desams.
Gangai konda Cholapuram, an old temple (reputed to be older than a 1000 years) is just 40 km from mayiladuthurai. It is a must-see historic place.
Sikazhi Thiru Sitrambala Nadiyar Temple-It is located at sidharkadu. Responsible for lord shiva and one of the sidhar formed as a jeeva samathi in this temple.
Thirumanachery Temple- It is 12 km from mayavaram. This temple is famous for unmarried couples. Many marriages are held at this temple.
Navagraha temples are situated around this town. There are many famous temples in Mayiladuthurai's vicinity, most important amongst which is Vaitheeswarankoil. The temple complex is known to house many astrologers employing a method of fortune telling called NADI Jyothidam. The town also has a Medhaa Dakshinamurthi temple. Other temples of importance include the Sukran Temple and a temple in TirukkaDavUr is dedicated to Lord AmirthakaDEswarar and Goddess Abirami.
One of the institutions that was formed for the flourishing of Saivam and Tamil, Dharmapuram Adheenam (Mutt) is in the eastern part of Mayuram.
It is the most important location for "Tula snaanam", in the river Kavery in the Tamil month of "Aippasi".
Moovalur Markasagaya Shiva temple constructed by Kulothunga cholan is 4 km away from Mayiladuthurai.
Senthangudi Durga Temple - Durga Temple is also famous and is 2 km from Mayiladuthurai.
Thirukadaiyur Abirami Amman Temple - This temple is famous for the Sadabisegam, Manivizha. People visit this temple and offer prayers for good health and long life and is situated 18 km from Mayiladuthurai.
Tirupambupuram Temple - Tirupambupuram is a very ancient Shiva temple. It is known as Dakshina Kalahasti. It is located near Peralam (7 km west).
Thirumanancheri Temple - Thirumanancheri Temple is very famous and is very near mayiladuthurai- www.thirumanancheri.info gives you more details about Temple.
Kannagi Temple - The Kannagi Temple is in Melaiyur which is located around 24 km from Mayiladuthurai. Poompuhar is 4 km from Melaiyur.
Punugiswarar Temple - The Punugiswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva & consort Santha Nayaki. Situated at Koranad. Worshiped by civet cat.
Sri Vanamutti Perumal, Kozhikuthy This temple is 800 years old .It is located 5 km outside the town in Kumbakonam Road near Mayavaram,is a unique Temple,having its main God Lord Srinivasa Perumal(Fondly "Vaanam-mutti" Perumal-since He kept on Growing) standing for 16 ft. The most special feature is that the entire Idol is carved out of Single Fig Tree with its real roots going underneath even today. Over the wood the idol is marvellously coated with Ajanta Paintings which is attractive even today though the Temple is built during Chola Period around 1500 yrs ago. The Temple is a rich source of architectural excellence as well as the home of Divine Lord.
Theepaindaal Amman Temple - This temple is located near Mayuram Police station and it is very famous for Theemithi Function (Fire-Walking). The festival is organised by local area people over 115 years. The people around mayiladuthurai should volunteerly come and participate and get the blessing of goddesses.
