Sri Vaidyanathaswami Temple / Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple / வைத்தியநாதர் கோயில் / வச்சிரத்தம்பநாதர் திருக்கோயில், திருமழபாடி / Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 108^th Thevara padal Petra shiva Sthalam and 54^th sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This is one of the few temples that have Palm trees as sthala Vruksham. Since the river Kollidam flows from south to north (as Utharavahini), the temple is considered equivalent to Kashi.

  

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that  Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiru Neithanam and stayed some days at this temple.

செங்கைமான் மறியார்தம் திருமழபா டிப்புறத்துச் சேரச் செல்வார்

அங்கைஆர் அழல் என்னும் திருப்பதிகம் எடுத்தருளி அணைந்த போதில்

மங்கைவாழ் பாகத்தார் மழபாடி தலையினால் வணங்கு வார்கள்

பொங்குமா தவமுடையார் எனத்தொழுது போற்றிசைத்தே கோயில் புக்கார்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, Ayyadigal Kadavarkon, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

அங்கை யார்அழ லன்னழ கார்சடைக்

கங்கை யான்கடவுள் இடம் மேவிய

மங்கை யான்உறை யும்மழ பாடியைத்

தங்கை யால்தொழு வார்தக வாளரே

......... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

நீறேறு திருமேனி யுடையான் கண்டாய்

        நெற்றிமே லொற்றைக் கண் நிறைந்தான் கண்டாய்

கூறாக உமைபாகங் கொண்டார் கண்டாய்

        கொடியவிட முண்டிருண்ட கண்டன் கண்டாய்

ஏறேறி யெங்குந் திரிவான் கண்டாய்

        ஏழுலகும் ஏழ்மலையு மானான் கண்டாய்

மாறானார் தம் அரணம் அட்டான் கண்டாய்

        ’மழபாடி மன்னு மணாளன் றானே

......... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

பொன்னார் மேனியனே புலித்தோலை அரைக்க்சைத்து

மின்னார் செஞ்சடைமேல் மிளிர் கொன்றை அணிந்தவனே

மன்னே மாமணியே மழபாடியுள் மாணிக்கமே

அன்னே உன்னையல்லால் இனியாரை நினைக்கேனே

...........சுந்தரர்

இழவாடிச் சுற்றத்தார்வ் எல்லாரும் கூடி

விழவாடி ஆவி விடாமுன்னம் – மழப்பாடி

ஆண்டானை ஆரமுதை அன்றயன்மால் காணாமை

நீண்டானை நெஞ்சே நினை

...........ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்  

                                                            -- விரும்பிநிதம்

பொன்னுங் கெளத்துவமும் பூண்டோன் புகழ்ந்தருளை

மன்னு மழபாடி வச்சிரமே

...........திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Vaidyanathaswami, Sri Vajrathamba Nathar

Consort    : Sri Azhagammai, Sri Sundrambigai, Sri Balambigai

Some of the important features of the temple are......

The temple faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam, and dwajasthambam are after the Rajagopuram. The second level Rajagopuram is of 3-tiers. Alangara mandapa and two Rishabas are after the second level Rajagopuram. In this prakaram Agora Veerabhadra, Vinayagar, and Murugan. The Maha mandapam with sanctum sanctorum is after the 3^rd level entrance. Sanctum Sanctorum and Somaskandar Temple are combined together and look big. Urchavars and Jurahareswarar are in the mandapa.  Moolavar is of Swayambhu Shiva Linga believed to be installed by Purusha Miruga. The Stucco  Dwarapalakas are huge in size. There are three small pits/ kuzhi in the sanctum, which are treated as Navagrahas and there is no separate Navagraha sannathi. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Agathiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Shiva Durga.   

In kostam, there are two Dakshinamurthys two Rishabas, and two Ambal sannidhis. Somaskandar is made up of single stone and looks very beautiful. In front of this, there are two Vinayagars one is in standing and the other in sitting posture.

In the praharam sannadhi for Vishnu & Saraswati, Sundarar & Paravai Nachiyar, Mahavishnu & Mahalakshmi, Jurahareswarar, Gaja samhara moorthy, Saptamatrikas, Gajalakshmi, Kala Bhairava, Guru Bhairavar, Arthanareeswarar, Meenakshi with Chokkanathar, 4 Veda Nandhis/ Rishabas, Shiva Lingas, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Moovar, 63 var, Stucco images of Nandhikeswarar with Suyashambiga, Gaja Samhara moorthy, and Kathyayini.

There are two Ambal Sannadhis, Balambiga and Sundrambiga. Ambal Balambigai is in a separate temple like sannadhi with a sanctum and artha mandapam facing south. Two tier mandapam along the outer walls are of Nattukottai Nagarathar’s thirupani.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and Artha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century. The inscriptions recorded belong to Paranta-I, Rajarajan-I, Rajendran-I, Rajathirajan-I, Rajendran-II, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga Chozha-II & III, Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan and Hoysala King Veera Someswaran.

Historians believe that Vaidyanathar sannadhi is the Jurahareswarar Sannadhi and the same belongs to the Rajaraja-I period. 

100 pillar mandapam,  and Somaskandar mandapa are built during 13^th Century, Kulothunga-III period. The outer prakara entrance Rajagopuram was built during the Pandya period,.  The mandapa opposite the temple called Koneri mandapam was built by Konerirayan of the Vijayanagara Dynasty.

The Chozha period inscriptions record the donation of Sheep / Goats for burning perpetual lamps, Vimana renovation, land for the naivedyam, Creating Nandhavanam, Kamugu farm, land towards bringing water for Thirumanjanam/sacred bath,

As per the inscription Lord Shiva was called Thirumazhuvadi Udayar, Thirumazhuvadi Azhvar, Thirumazhuvadi Mahadevar, Mazhuvadi Udaya Mahadevar, Rajendran period inscription mentions as Thirumazhuvadi Sri Vaichiyanatha Thevvar, Thirumazhapadi Udayar Nayinar Thirumeni Ponnarmeniyan, and Ambal Balambiga was called as Bhuvanaapathi Nachiyar, established during Rajarajan –III and reconstructed by Nattukottai Nagarathars. This place was called Thirmazhuvadi and later called Thirumazhapadi, Rajarajavalanattu Poikai Nattu Devadhanam Thirumazhuvadi, Thiribhuvana Muzhuthudaya Vala Nadu, etc. Changed its territory depends on the Kings ruled during that period.

As per the inscriptions and records the temple had 464 acres of Land, of which nanjai was 232 acres & 61 cents and punjai was 230 acres and 4 cents. 147 acres and 75 lands are in dispute and under court case, The primary school, living quarters for Archakar, servants, and meikavalar, the in-charge belongs to this temple, and rent (?) is paid to the temple.  As per the 1970 record the jewellery worth Rs 18237 was with the incharge, Rs 223.25 worth of Kanda birunda mala and 32 flower garland was with the temple’s incharge. 

During the Rajaraja-I period inscription records that, the Vimana was reconstructed. The inscriptions already available are copied and reinscribed after completion. As per the experts lot of mistakes are made during reinscription. 

Rajendra Chozha-I’s inscription 13th-year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp and Shiva is called Thirumazhuvadi Sri Vaichiyanatha Thevar. The same King’s 22nd-year inscription records the endowment of Ivory leg cot and some materials to Palliyari.

From Kulothunga-III and Hoysala King Veera Ramanathan period inscriptions, (13^th Century)  it is understood that Vaidyanathar was called Jurahareswarar.

Vikrama Chozha, Rajarajan-III, Hoysala, and Pandya period 26 inscriptions record the endowment of Thirumanjanam for Lord Shiva and people are appointed to bring water from river Kaveri for which donations are made to this temple. A separate path called “Thirumanjana Veethi”/Thriumanjana Peruvazhi was created to bring water. (As per Historians the river Kollidam was faraway during that time and the river was also not wide like this day. The river course changed after the 13^th century. Moreover, it was believed that the Kollidam River might have not been considered holy water).  

Koparakesari barmar’s 3^rd year reign inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam with 2 nazhi rice and to feed 5 persons with the naivedyam offered on Thiruvathira nakshatra day of every month by, Vaivalipakkam Udayan Perumannandi of Vesalippadi and for the same 10 Kalanju gold gifted.

Another Koparakesari barmar’s 4th-year reign inscription records the endowment of burning a day lamp by Kandan Malapadi of the Pudukkudi in Kilsengili Nadu for which 45 sheep and a ram were gifted to this temple.  Another 5th-year reign inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 90 Sheep were donated by Nakkan Kanjan of Thanjavur Nadu. Another inscription records 90 Sava moova peradu for burning a perpetual lamp.

Koparakesari’s 10th-year reign inscription records that his Queen Nakkan Thillai Azhagiyar Chozhamadeviyar, Panchavan Madevi gifted a Silver Vessel weighing  77.75 kalanju or 5 palam for offering Adaikayamuthu / beetle nut with leaves, May probably be assignable to Uttama Chozha,  but the continuation inscription mentions Sundara Chozha. 

Koparakesari’s 16th-year reign inscription records the gift of a Bronze idol of Kolgai Devar, for receiving Sri Bali and a silver tray for offering Adaikayamuthu/Betel nut, by Achchan Dhurjati. This inscription may be assignable to Utama Chozha. 

One of the Krishnadevaraya period inscriptions at Engoi Malai temple ( 63^rd and last Paadal Petra Sthalam of Kaveri Vadakarai ) records that land was donated to this Thirumazhapadi Sri Vaidyanatha Swami Temple towards worship.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions

LEGENDS

During ancient times this place was ruled by the Mazhavar group and hence called Mazhavarpadi, which turned into Mazhapadi. Padi means – a place for the army to stay. When Kollimazhavan ruled this area his army – Mazhavar Senai,  was stationed here. Hence this place was called Mazhapadi.

As per Sthala Purana, Lord Shiva gave dance darshan holding mazhu (one of the weapons of Lord Shiva) to Markandeya Maharishi. Hence called “Mazhuvadi”, which turned into the present name of Mazapadi

After Sundarar worshiped Lord Shiva of Thiruchotruthurai, Thirukandiyur, Thiruvaiyaru, and Thirupoonthuruthi, finally on that day went to  Thiruvalam Pozhil and stayed at night. Even though this Thirumazhapadi is on the way, he didn’t come to this temple. Lord Shiva came in his dream in the form of Young Shiva (Like he came and asked to come to Kanaper – Kalayarkoil)  and said,  “Whether you have forgotten me to worship at Thirumazhapadi -  மழபாடியினில் வருவதற்கு நினைக்க மறந்தாயோ?”. The next morning Sundarar came to this and sang the famous hymn starting with – Ponnar meniyane- பொன்னார் மேனியனே... Which is given above. This was recorded by Sekkizhar in his Periya Puranam, as given below.

மழபாடியினில் வருவதற்கு நினைக்க மறந்தாயோ என்று

குழகு ஆகிடயதம் கோலம் எதிர்காட்டி அருளக்குறித்து உணர்ந்து

நிழல் ஆர்சோலைக் கரைப் பொன்னி வடபால் ஏறி நெடுமாடம்

அழகு ஆர்வீதி மழபாடி அணைந்தர் நம்பி ஆரூரர்

Maha Vishnu, Indra, Nandhikeswarar, and Purusha mrugam (similar to Spinx) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Purusha Mirugam took the Shiva Linga from Brahma’s Satya loka and installed it in this temple. When Brahma came to know this, he came and tried to take the Shiva Linga back. Since he couldn’t do it, he exclaimed that-“whether is this a Vaira thuno –  இது வைரத்தூணோ". Hence Lord Shiva is called Vairathoon Nathar or  Vachirasthambeswarar. Thirunavukkarasu Swamikal also records in his hymns as “Mazahapadi vairathuno – மழபாடி வைரத்தூணோ“. The hymns are given below  

அலையடுத்த பெருங்கடல்நஞ் சமுதா வுண்டு

       அமரர்கள்தந் தலைகாத்த ஐயர் செம்பொன்

சிலையெடுத்து மாநாக நெருப்புக் கோத்துக்

        திரிபுரங்கள் தீயிட்ட செல்வர் போலும்

நிலையடுத்த பசும்பொன்னால் முத்தால் நீண்ட

        நிரைவயிரப் பலகையாற் குவையார்த் துற்ற

மலையடுத்த மழபாடி வயிரத்தூணே

        யென்றென்றே நானரற்றி நைகின் றேனே

This Legend is associated with Nandhikeswarar. Sage Siladha, who belongs to Andhanakuruchi near Thiruvaiyaru prayed Lord Shiva for a Child. Lord Shiva gave him a male child. On that day evening, Lord Shiva called Nandhi and arranged for a sacred bath with Surya Theertha, Chandra Theertha, the foam water that drips from Nandhi’s (Rishaba) mouth,  Kaveri river water and the milk from Ampal’s breast. He was given the title of “Adhikara Nandhi” and made in charge of the Temple. On Panguni (March – April) Punarpoosam nakshatra day Lord Shiva arranged a Marriage for Nandhikeswarar with Suyashambiga, daughter of Vygrapadar and granddaughter of Vasishter at Thirumazhapadi.  

On that day all the Saptha Sthana Temple’s Urchavars will join with Thiruvaiyaru urchavars and proceed to Thirumazhapadi in procession. Since Nandhikeswarar’s wife Suyashambiga belongs to Thirumazhapadi, all the people of the Village will decorate with flower & Mango leaf Thoranas, erecting Pandals,  celebrating the marriage as their own house function. In the evening at Thirumazhapadi all the seven temple’s urchavars will arrive and the Marriage function will be celebrated in a grand manner.

   

It is believed that the temple tank water has miraculous powers. Those who are infected with skin diseases, have to take a bath in the tank and worship Lord Shiva as Vaidyanatha Swami of this temple will get relief. It is also believed that those who could not go to Vaitheeswaran Koil can offer their prayers and pooja in this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on monthly pradosam, Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb – March), Masi Maha 12 days Brahmotsavam/Thiruvizha in the month Masi (Feb – March), Nandhikeswarar Marriage festival in the month Panguni (March – April), Ezhur Thiruvizha in the month Chithirai in which Urchavar will go to Thiruvaiyaru,  Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi (Oct - Nov) and Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai (Nov – Dec) are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Landline and mobile numbers +91 4329 292 890 and +91 97862 05278.

Ganesha Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile numbers +918525938216, +91 9843360716, and +91 9786205278 for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

Bus facilities are available from Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur.

Bus facility is also available from Thirumanur, which is 6 KM from Thiruvaiyaru on Ariyalur road.

The temple is 6 KM from Thirumanur, 15 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 28 KM from Thanjavur, 28 KM from Ariyalur, and 54 KM from Tiruchirappalli.

The nearest Railway Stations – Ariyalur, the district headquarters, and Thanjavur are the same distance.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Ambal Temple

Somaskandar

Gajasamharamurthy

Thirugnanasambandar

Kalasamharamurthy

Valabi - Sculptures - Monkey & the snake

Temple car wooden sculptures 

Temple car wooden sculptures 

Temple car wooden sculptures 

Temple car wooden sculptures 

Temple car wooden sculptures 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---