Poompuhar
This historical town is situated
24 kms west of Mayuram. Kaviripoompattinam is another
name for this town as the holy river Cauvery reaches
the Bay of Bengal only here. As written in the epic
Silappathikaram, written by Ilangovadigal, Kovalan
and Kannagi lived in this town. We can witness "Silappathikara
kalaikkodam", a panorama of sculptures depicting
scenes from Silappathikaram in poompuhar. This had
been the capital of Cholas and was a great commercial
centre, which can be known from Pattinappalai, a tamil
literature.
Sri Mayuranathaswami temple
This is also called the 'Big temple'
of the town, and the goddess here protects her devotees
who surrender and worships her. Hence she is called
Abayambikai alias Anjal Nayaki ( Abayam means giving
protection ). Famous poets like Appar, Sambandhar,
Arunagiri nadhar have rendered songs in praise of
the deity. Sri Muthuswamy Dikshidar and Saint Thyagaraja
who were among the famous Sangeetha Mummoorthis, met
in this temple and sang in praise of the god. Dikshidar
has rendered nine krithis on Abayambikai called Navavarna
krithis. This temple is under the control of Thiruvavaduthurai
Adhinam and Dharmapuram Adhinam.
Sri Ayyarappar temple
This temple is one of the oldest
temple and is of Archeological interest. This temple
houses many Stone inscriptions of Kulothungha chola
period. Ambal's name is Dharmasamvardhani ( one who
helps the growth of Dharma ).
Sri Vadhanyeshwarar temple
On the northern bank of the Cauvery,
in Uttara Mayuram, is situated the lovely temple familiarly
called Vallalar koil. The beautiful and panoramic
view of the Cauvery with the Rishaba mantabam in the
middle draws pilgrims and tourists alike.
The main deity is Sri Vadhanyeshwarar
and the Goddess goes by the name of Gnanambika. On
the southern side of the sanctum sanctorum is situated
the shrine of Sri Medhaa Dakshinamurthy. Dakshinamurthy
is portrayed usually as a yogi under a banyan tree,
His right hand held in gnana mudra, imparting wisdom
silently to the aged Sankartha munis.
Sri Punukeeswarar temple
This temple is situated in Koorainadu
in the western part of Mayuram. This is named after
Punuku siddar who got Moksha here. Koorai means clothe.
During a typical South Indian marriage, a typical
South Indian bride (notwithstanding mixed marriages!)
wears a saree, which is called Koorai saree. In olden
days such sarees were woven only in koorainadu and
this is the reason behind the name 'koorai pudavai'.
Sri Parimala Ranganatha swamy temple
From the birth of holy river Cauvery
in ThalaCauvery to its end in Poompukar, there are
five Ranganathas and one of them is Sri Parimala Ranganathar
in Thiruindhalur on the banks of Cauvery. Alwars (Vaishnavite
poets) have sung on the greatness of Parimala Ranganatha.
This temple is among the 108 vaishanava Thirupathis.
Perumal (Lord Vishnu) in this is Parimala Ranganathan
(Maruviniya Maindhan, Sugandavana Nathan) in veerasayanam
pose facing East. Thaayar (Goddess) is called Parimala
Ranganayaki,
Chandra-shapa-vimochanavalli and Pundarikavalli
Chandran got his curses absolved
by Thaayar in this place. This is the reason why Thaayar
got that name 'Chandra-shapa-vimochanavalli'. Perumal
in Sayana posture has Chathur bujha and Caverydevi
and Gangadevi can be seen near the head and foot of
Perumal.
Sri Kasi Vishwanatha swamy temple
This temple can conveniently be called
as a branch of Kasi Vishwanatha temple. Pilgrims,
who cant go to Kasi, can worship here and get the
same effect. This is in the thula ghat ( Laghatam
) on the banks of Cauvery. Dhondi vinayaka and Bhairava
are also seen in this temple.
Mosque
Periya
Pallivasal at Koranad
Thaikkal
Street Periya Pallivasal
No.2.Road
Pallivasal
Church
T.E.L.C. Church ,Ghandiji Road
R.C. Church , No.2 Road
Kondareddy Street Church
Navagraha Temples
Nine temples, which are famous for
each of the Navagraha are situated around Mayiladuthurai.
One can visit all the 9 temples in a day, starting
from Mayuram and it has become quite a popular tourist
circuit today.
Suriyanar koil - Sun Suriyan
This is about 20kms west of Mayuram,
near Aduthurai. Surya resides with his wives Chaya
and Suvarcha in this holy place. With Surya at the
centre, temples of the other Grahas are around Surya.
Thingaloor - Moon Chandiran
This is about 40 kms west of Mayuram,
near thiruvaiyaru. Mentally disturbed people come
here to get cure get rid of their sorrows and sufferings.
Vaidheeswaran Koil - Mars Angarakan
This temple is 12 kms north-east
of Mayuram, on the way to Chidambaram. This town is
also called as Pull-irukku-Veloor. Jadayu - the eagle
who made a gallant attempt to stop Ravana from proceeding
to Lanka with Sita, got relieved of his wings by Ravana,
fell down here and eventually got Moksha. Even today
we can see the place where Jadayu was cremated - 'Jadayu
Kundam'.
Vaidheeswaran koil is a crowd puller
for many reasons along with the Angarakan. Vaidyanadha
Swamy ( shiva ) is believed to cure illness of the
ardent devotees. Lot of people throng here everyday,
offer their prayers for regaining their health with
the grace of the deity. Ambal is called Valambika
alias Thaiyal Nayaki.
Kiruthigai is an auspicious day here
with special poojas performed for SelvaMuthuKumara
Swamy ( Murugan ). Nayanmars, Arunagiri Nadar, kumaraguruparar,
kalamega pulavar have visited this temple and sung
in praise of the deity. Separate sanctorum for Angaraka
is a speciality out here as you cannot find it elsewhere.
Thiruvenkadu - Mercury Budhan
This is about 24 kms east of Mayuram.
Lord Shiva resides here in the name of Swetharanyar.
This temple is referred in 'Saiva Thirumurais' and
Sastras. This place is similar to Kasi with all the
Snana Ghats. One can do all the karmas here, that
is supposed to be done in kasi. We can find a separate
sanctum sanctorum for bhudan. Bhudan holds the portfolio
of Education and Arts and it is the next popular place
students prefer to go after Tuition centers.
Alangudi - Jupiter Guru
This is about 40 kms from Mayuram
near Needamangalam. The speciality here is that Lord
Guru is engraved on the wall and is not in the form
of separate idol.
Kanjanur - Venus Sukran
Kanjanur is near Suriyanarkoil. People
come here for getting the blessings of Sukran, to
get themselves 'Sukra Dasa', who is believed to get
them wealth.
Thirunallaru - Saturn Shani
This is the most sought Navagraham,
which is about 30 kms east of Mayuram on the way to
Thiruvarur. There is a separate sanctum sanctoram
for Lord Shani. This is the place where Shani left
from the body of Nala Maharaja. This is one of the
'Sapta Vidanga Kshetras' ( where Musukunda Chakravarthy
installed the deity of Thyagaraja ). It is believed
that holy dip in the tank ( Nala Theertham ) will
help people to escape from the woes of Sani.
Thirunageswaram Ragu
This is about 30 kms from Mayuram
, near Kumbakonam. The main deity's name is Nageshwarar
and Ambal's name is Girigujambikai. She is decorated
as a small girl in the Mornings, as young lady in
Noons and as lady in evenings. Thirunageswaram is
referenced in Lalitha Sahasranamam. Here Ragu resides
with his wife and everyday, during Ragu kalam, when
Milk is poured over Ragu idol, it miraculously changes
to blue colour. People having Ragu dosha come here
during Ragu kalam and perform Abishekas.
Keezhaperumpallam Kethu
This temple is about 20 kms from
Mayuram, near Thiruvenkadu. Here there is a separate
sanctum sanctorum for Kedhu. Those who are affected
by Kedhu dosha come here for rectification.
