6. SRI THIRUMENI AZHAGAR TEMPLE AT MAHENDIRAPALLI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	60th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	6th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

Lord Indiran tried to woo Akalika, the wife of Maharshi Gautama. Indiran was cursed by the Rishi to have his body covered with eyes. He sought relief from this curse and came to Earth and prayed to Lord Shiva in many temples and this is one among them.

As Indiran – “Maha Indiran” is believed to have worshiped the lord here, this place is known as “Mahendira Palli” (“Palli” means place in Tamil). 

The lingam in this temple is very small and lustrous. It is called “Thiru Meni Azhagar” (“Meni” means body and “Azhagar” means beautiful in Tamil). 

Lord Shiva is believed to have given the darshan of his cosmic dance to Indiran, Brahma, Suryan and Chandran.It is also believed that in the tank (pushkarini) of this temple, Lord Krishna performed Amavasya rituals (Tharpanam) on a new moon day before the Kurukshetra war. He created the “Bodhayana Amavasya”.

This is a small sea shore temple and it was renovated recently. The temple is on the southern banks of river Kollidam. This river merges with the sea about 2 kms away from this temple. The historical name of this place is Mayendirapalli but now it is known as Mahendrapalli. Another name of this place is “Koyiladippalayam”. 

SALIENT FEATURE:

·       This east facing temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers
·      In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar praised the lord here as “Azhagan” and “Anthamil Azhagan”.
·    It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for seven days in the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April). 
·       This temple is also famous for its “Surya Pooja” in the month of Panguni.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Thirumeni Azhagar, Sri Somasundareswarar
Ambal	Sri Vadivambikai
Theertham	Mahendra Pushkarini
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

The holy water of this temple is believed to be attributed to Lord Brahma - the creator. Hence, devotees believe that by taking a dip in the holy water and worshiping the lord here, Lord Brahma would absolve them off their curses and sins. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Surya Pooja

HOW TO REACH:

Mahendrapalli  is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Kollidam. Kollidam is on the Chidambaram to Mayiladuthurai route. There is a railway station in Kollidam.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple,
Mahendirapalli,
Sirkazhi-Taluk,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609 101.

LOCATION: