Mahendrapalli Thirumeni Azhagar Temple / அருள்மிகு வடிவாம்பிகை உடனுறை திருமேனியழகர் திருக்கோயில் மகேந்திரப்பள்ளி, Mahendrapalli –( Mayendrappalli ), Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 60^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 6^th sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Mahendrapalli (also called Koyiladippalayam ) is on the banks of river Kollidam/Coleroon and the River joins with the Sea. This was called Mayendrapalli during the 6^th to 7^th Century. 

Sekkizhar didn’t mention when Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple. Sri Palvanna Nathar temple at Thirukkazhippalai was on the North side of Kollidam ( the original Temple ) and this temple is on the south side of Kollidam. During the Thirugnanasambandar period, the distance between these two temples maybe 100 meters. He would have visited this temple during Thirukkazhipalai Temple’s visit. Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

திரை தரு பவளமும் சீர்திகழ் வயிரமும்

கரை தரும் அகிலொடு கனவளை புகுதரும்

வரைவிலால் எயிலெய்த மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்

அரவரை யழகனை அடியினை பணிமினே

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                    -“சொல்லுந்

தயேந்திர குள்ளத் தடம் போலிலங்கு

மயேந்திரப்பள்ளி இன்பவாழ்வே”

.......திருஅருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Thirumeni Azhagar, Sri Somasundarar. 

Consort    : Sri Vadivambal, Sri Vadivambigai, Sri Vadivammai.

Some of the important features of this temple ..........

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Suryan and Chandran stucco images are at the pillars of the gate. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front  vavval neththi mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. Stucco dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Dwarapalakas are painted, during my earlier visit. Moolavar is swayambhu and looks beautiful, hence called Thirumeni Azhagar. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, installed at a later date.  

In  Vavval nethi mukha mandapam, Ambal Sannadhi facing south and in  Natarajar Sabha, Natarajar is with Sivakami and Manickavasagar.

In praharam Vinayagar ( Rahu and Ketu on both sides ), Kasi Viswanathar, Maha Vishnu with his consorts, Shiva Lingas, Murugan with his consorts, Bhairavar, Suryan, Chandran and Chandikeswarar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple might have been constructed before the 7^th Century and reconstructed and expanded by Chozhas, Pandyas, and Maratha. The Vavvalanethi mukha Mandapam, Prakaram vinayagar Sannidhi and Valli Devasena Murugan sannadhi are constructed with brick during Maratha period.

It was told that, during the British period, Clive destroyed a fort of a local King. Even now that place is called “Theevu Kottai- தீவுக் கோட்டை", which is about a KM from this place. A few houses with an old Dwajasthambam, pedam, and a Vijaya KothandaramaSwamy Temple are there. A Nataraja statue was excavated from this place and is kept in this Temple. It is further told that Govt is paying a “Mohini panam” for both ( to whom..? and what is this for... ?)  

An arch was constructed during Kumbhabhishekam on 22^nd Jan 1999.

LEGEND: 

Suriyan rays fall on moolavar every year in 1^st week of Tamil Panguni month ( March – April ). 

As per the legend Indra was cursed by Maharishi Gauthama to have the eyes all over his body when he misbehaved with his wife Akalika. To get rid of the curse, he came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. Maha Indran – worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, the place ( Palli ) was called Mahendrapalli.

Lord Shiva gave the darshan of Cosmic dance to Indran, Brahma, Suriyan, and Chandran. Mayendran and Chandran also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. 

It is believed that Lord Krishna performed the Amavasya day / New Moon day – tharpanam on the banks of Temple Theertham before the Kurukshetra war.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Thirukarthigai in Karthigai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvathirai in Margazhi (Dec-Jan), Maha Shivaratri in Maasi (Feb-Mar), Panguni Uthiram in Panguni (Mar-Apr).

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since the temple opening and closing is unpredictable devotees are advised to contact Gurukkal after Achalpuram temple darshan.

The temple will be kept open between 10.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

Gurukkal Sri Senthil may be contacted on landline or mobile numbers  +91 4364 292 309 and +91 97511 00938 for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

Bus facilities are available from Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, Thanjavur, and  Kumbakonam.

The temple at Mahendrapalli is 7 KM from Achalpuram, 11 KM from Kollidam, 20 KM from Chidambaram, 22 KM from Sirkazhi, 45 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 60 KM from Cuddalore and 237 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kollidam.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Stucco image of Suryan

Stucco image of Chandra

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---