Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
Blue and cream gopuram with stucco figures on its tiers, a small dome beside it under a cloudy sky
Swayambu

Mahendirapalli Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple 6th of 63 on the north bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Chidambaram

Darshan today10:00 am – 12:00 noon, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Moolavar
Thirumeni Azhagar,Somasundareswarar
Ambal
Vadivambikai
Theertham
Mahendra Pushkarini
Sthala vriksham
Vilvam
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

Visited on: 12th March, 2017

Location

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.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams near this place are – Achalpuram, Sirkazhi, Thirukkolakka, Thirukkurukavur, Thiruvenkadu, Chayavanam and Poompukar.

General Information

Moolvar
Sri Thirumeni Azhagar, Sri Somasundareswarar
Ambal
Sri Vadivambikai
Theertham (Holy water)
Mahendra Pushkarini
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vilvam
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 6th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This east facing temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers and it has a single corridor.
  • The last consecration ceremony took place on 22.01.1999.

History of the Temple

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”.

A paved path between two yellow pillars topped by seated figures, leading to the gopuram ahead

Legend

It is believed that 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”.

Deities in the temple

In the corridors, idols of Lords Vinayakar (having planets Ragu and Ketu on his either sides), Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Kasi Viswanathar, Goddess Visalakshi, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen. Chandikeswarar graces with his consort. There is no Navagraham here.

A wide still tank with steps on the far bank and a small shrine among trees
A vaulted hall with a stone Nandi in the foreground and a lit doorway at the far end
A small shrine doorway with lamps inside and a painted goddess in a round panel above
A stucco Vinayakar in a blue niche above an arched entrance to a dark inner shrine
Three coloured stucco figures in a niche above a small shrine with a worn yellow porch
A seated black stone image under a carved arch, draped in an orange cloth, with flowers at its base

Salient Features

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.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Greatness of this temple

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.

Important Festivals

Some of the major festivals celebrated in this temple are -

Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec).

Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan),

Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar),

Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr), and

Surya Pooja in the Tamil month of Panguni.

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM.

Temple Address

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

The temple priest, Sri Senthil Gurukkal can be contacted at +91-4364- 292 309, 97511 00938.

*
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Today10:00 am – 12:00 noon, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
A domed shrine and a small tower rising behind a long painted corridor wall
A stone-walled shrine topped by a green domed roof, with a pillared corridor to the right
A brick-paved courtyard with a pillared corridor on the left and the shrine dome behind

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

The holy water of Lord Brahma

The holy water of this temple is believed to be attributed to Lord Brahma, the creator.

  1. Curses and sins absolvedDevotees believe a dip in the holy water and worship of the lord here lets Lord Brahma absolve them of curses and sins.
  2. Famous for Surya PoojaThe temple is also famous for its Surya Pooja in the month of Panguni.
  3. A self-manifested Lord ShivaLord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi, self-manifested.
Significance

Sung by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar sang the Pathigam here, and the temple stands on the northern bank of the Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.

  1. A Devara Paadal Petra sthalamThis is one of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams on the northern bank of the Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
  2. Praised as AzhaganIn his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar praised the lord here as Azhagan and Anthamil Azhagan.
  3. Sung in the ThirupugazhSaint Arunagirinadhar sang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his Thirupugazh.
  4. Indiran worshipped hereIndiran is believed to have worshipped the lord here, and so the place is called Mahendira Palli.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to bathe in the holy water, worship the lord and see the Surya Pooja.

  1. For relief from curses and sins: the holy waterDevotees take a dip in the holy water and worship the lord here, believing Lord Brahma will absolve them.
  2. For the Surya Pooja in PanguniLord Suryan is believed to worship Lord Shiva here by directing his rays on the lingam in the month of Panguni.
  3. For Pradosham and the festivalsPradosham is observed regularly, and Thirukarthikai, Thiruvadhirai and Maha Shivrathri are among the major festivals.
The Rajagopuram of the temple
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

A Paadal Petra sthalam

Legends of the temple

Indiran was cursed by the Rishi to have his body covered with eyes. He prayed to Lord Shiva in many temples, and this is one of them.

Lord Shiva is believed to have given the darshan of his cosmic dance to Indiran, Brahma, Suryan and Chandran.

Lord Krishna is believed to have performed Amavasya rituals in the temple tank before the Kurukshetra war.

Saints who sang here

  1. Saint ThirugnanasambantharSang the Pathigam here and praised the lord as Azhagan and Anthamil Azhagan.
  2. Saint ArunagirinadharSang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his Thirupugazh.

Festivals through the year

    Thirukarthikai, Thiruvadhirai, Maha Shivrathri, Panguni Uthiram and Surya Pooja are celebrated, and Pradosham is observed regularly.

    Deities

    The deities of this temple

    * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

    From the sanctum to the corridors
    Moolavarதி
    Moolavar

    Sri Thirumeni Azhagar

    The lingam in this temple is very small and lustrous. It is called Thiru Meni Azhagar. Lord Shiva here is a Swayambumurthi, self-manifested.

    A small shrine doorway with lamps inside and a painted goddess in a round panel above
    Ambal

    Sri Vadivambikai

    Sri Vadivambikai is the Ambal of this temple.

    A stucco Vinayakar in a blue niche above an arched entrance to a dark inner shrine
    Shrine in the corridor

    Vinayakar

    In the corridors is Vinayakar, with the planets Ragu and Ketu on either side of him.

    Shrine in the corridorமு
    Shrine in the corridor

    Murugan with his consorts

    Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors.

    Shrine in the corridorந
    Shrine in the corridor

    Natarajar

    Natarajar is among the idols that can be seen in the corridors.

    Shrine in the corridorச
    Shrine in the corridor

    Chandikeswarar

    Chandikeswarar graces with his consort. There is no Navagraham here.

    Visit & map

    Sacred geography
    Mahendirapalli Nallur Perumanam Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram Thirukkazhippalai, Chidambaram Thirunelvayil, Chidambaram Then Thirumullaivasal Thirukkurukavur Sirkazhi Thirukkolakka Thiruvenkadu Thirukannaar Koil Thirukurakkukka Thiru Karuppariyalur
    You are hereThis temple

    Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

    12a6a12p6p
    Darshan today10:00 am – 12:00 noon, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    10:00 – 12:006:00 – 7:30 pm

    Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

    Plan the day around it

    Address and phone

    Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple, Mahendirapalli Post, Sirkazhi-Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 101. The temple priest, Sri Senthil Gurukkal can be contacted at +91-4364- 292 309, 97511 00938.

    *

    A day of darshan nearby

    5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 31.5 km in straight lines.

    Map of Mahendirapalli and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Nallur Perumanam, Thirukkazhippalai, Chidambaram, Thirunelvayil, Chidambaram, Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram, Thiru Naaraiyur. Mahendirapalli 1 Nallur Perumanam 2 3 Thirunelvayil, Chidambaram 4 Thiruvetkalam, Chidambaram 5 Thiru Naaraiyur 5 km N
    Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

    Temple plan

    Blue and cream gopuram with stucco figures on its tiers, a small dome beside it under a cloudy sky
    01

    The Rajagopuram

    The main tower of this east facing temple is the Rajagopuram.

    1 / 6

    Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

    Pathigam

    Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

    Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

    V. Muthukumaraswamy

    Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 11.

    Thiraitharu pavaḷamuñ chīrthikazh vayiramuṅ
    karaitharum akiloṭu kaṉavaḷai pukutharum
    varaivilāl eyileytha mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ
    aravarai azhakaṉai aṭiyiṇai paṇimiṉē

    Coral borne by the waves, shining diamonds, aloe wood and heavy conches are carried to the shore. In Mayendirapalli stands the beautiful lord who wears a serpent at his waist and shot down the forts with the mountain as his bow. The verse bids devotees to worship his pair of feet.

    Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

    Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

    All eleven verses

    1. 01

      திரைதரு பவளமுஞ் சீர்திகழ் வயிரமுங்கரைதரும் அகிலொடு கனவளை புகுதரும்வரைவிலால் எயிலெய்த மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்அரவரை அழகனை அடியிணை பணிமினே

      Thiraitharu pavaḷamuñ chīrthikazh vayiramuṅ / karaitharum akiloṭu kaṉavaḷai pukutharum / varaivilāl eyileytha mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / aravarai azhakaṉai aṭiyiṇai paṇimiṉē

    2. 02

      கொண்டல்சேர் கோபுரங் கோலமார் மாளிகைகண்டலுங் கைதையுங் கமலமார் வாவியும்வண்டுலாம் பொழிலணி மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியிற்செண்டுசேர் விடையினான் திருந்தடி பணிமினே

      Koṇṭalsēr kōpuraṅ kōlamār māḷikai / kaṇṭaluṅ kaithaiyuṅ kamalamār vāviyum / vaṇṭulām pozhilaṇi mayēnthirap paḷḷiyiṟ / seṇdusēr viṭaiyiṉāṉ thirunthaṭi paṇimiṉē

    3. 03

      கோங்கிள வேங்கையுங் கொழுமலர்ப் புன்னையுந்தாங்குதேன் கொன்றையுந் தகுமலர்க் குரவமுமாங்கரும் பும்வயல் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியிற்ஆங்கிருந் தவன்கழல் அடியிணை பணிமினே

      Kōṅkiḷa vēṅkaiyuṅ kozhumalarp puṉṉaiyun / thāṅkuthēṉ koṉtṟaiyun thakumalark kuravamu / māṅkarum pumvayal mayēnthirap paḷḷiyiṟ / āṅkirun thavaṉkazhal aṭiyiṇai paṇimiṉē

    4. 04

      வங்கமார் சேணுயர் வருகுறி யான்மிகுசங்கமார் ஒலிஅகில் தருபுகை கமழ்தரும்மங்கையோர் பங்கினன் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்எங்கள்நா யகன்றன திணையடி பணிமினே

      Vaṅkamār sēṇuyar varukuṟi yāṉmiku / saṅkamār oli'akil tharupukai kamazhtharum / maṅkaiyōr paṅkiṉaṉ mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / eṅkaḷnā yakaṉtṟaṉa thiṇaiyaṭi paṇimiṉē

    5. 05

      நித்திலத் தொகைபல நிரைதரு மலரெனச்சித்திரப் புணரிசேர்த் திடத்திகழ்ந் திருந்தவன்மைத்திகழ் கண்டன்நன் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்கைத்தல மழுவனைக் கண்டடி பணிமினே

      Niththilath thokaipala niraitharu malareṉach / chiththirap puṇaricērth thiṭaththikazhn thirunthavaṉ / maiththikazh kaṇṭaṉnaṉ mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / kaiththala mazhuvaṉaik kaṇṭaṭi paṇimiṉē

    6. 06

      சந்திரன் கதிரவன் தகுபுகழ் அயனொடும்இந்திரன் வழிபட இருந்தஎம் மிறையவன்மந்திர மறைவளர் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்அந்தமில் அழகனை அடிபணிந் துய்ம்மினே

      Chanthiraṉ kathiravaṉ thakupukazh ayaṉoṭum / inthiraṉ vazhipaṭa iruntha'em miṟaiyavaṉ / manthira maṟaivaḷar mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / anthamil azhakaṉai aṭipaṇin thuym'miṉē

    7. 07

      சடைமுடி முனிவர்கள் சமைவொடும் வழிபடநடம்நவில் புரிவினன் நறவணி மலரொடுபடர்சடை மதியினன் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்அடல்விடை யுடையவன் அடிபணிந் துய்ம்மினே

      Saṭaimuṭi muṉivarkaḷ samaivoṭum vazhipaṭa / naṭamnavil puriviṉaṉ naṟavaṇi malaroṭu / paṭarsaṭai mathiyiṉaṉ mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / aṭalviṭai yuṭaiyavaṉ aṭipaṇin thuym'miṉē

    8. 08

      சிரமொரு பதுமுடைச் செருவலி யரக்கனைக்கரமிரு பதுமிறக் கனவரை யடர்த்தவன்மரவமர் பூம்பொழில் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்அரவமர் சடையனை அடிபணிந் துய்ம்மினே

      Siramoru pathumuṭaich cheruvali yarakkaṉaik / karamiru pathumiṟak kaṉavarai yaṭarththavaṉ / maravamar pūmpozhil mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / aravamar saṭaiyaṉai aṭipaṇin thuym'miṉē

    9. 09

      நாகணைத் துயில்பவன் நலமிகு மலரவன்ஆகணைந் தவர்கழல் அணையவும் பெறுகிலர்மாகணைந் தலர்பொழில் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்யோகணைந் தவன்கழல் உணர்ந்திருந் துய்ம்மினே

      Nākaṇaith thuyilpavaṉ nalamiku malaravaṉ / ākaṇain thavarkazhal aṇaiyavum peṟukilar / mākaṇain thalarpozhil mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / yōkaṇain thavaṉkazhal uṇarnthirun thuym'miṉē

    10. 10

      உடைதுறந் தவர்களும் உடைதுவர் உடையரும்படுபழி யுடையவர் பகர்வன விடுமின்நீர்மடைவளர் வயலணி மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்இடமுடை ஈசனை இணையடி பணிமினே

      Uṭaithuṟan thavarkaḷum uṭaithuvar uṭaiyarum / paṭupazhi yuṭaiyavar pakarvaṉa viṭumiṉnīr / maṭaivaḷar vayalaṇi mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / iṭamuṭai īsaṉai iṇaiyaṭi paṇimiṉē

    11. 11

      வம்புலாம் பொழிலணி மயேந்திரப் பள்ளியுள்நம்பனார் கழலடி ஞானசம் பந்தன்சொல்நம்பர மிதுவென நாவினால் நவில்பவர்உம்பரார் எதிர்கொள உயர்பதி அணைவரே

      The last verse names Sambandan as the singer and says that those who recite this hymn with their tongue, as their refuge, will be welcomed by the celestials into the exalted abode.

      Vampulām pozhilaṇi mayēnthirap paḷḷiyuḷ / nampaṉār kazhalaṭi gñāṉasam banthaṉsol / nampara mithuveṉa nāviṉāl navilpavar / umparār ethirkoḷa uyarpathi aṇaivarē

    Photos

    Photographs

    11 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

    Blue and cream gopuram with stucco figures on its tiers, a small dome beside it under a cloudy sky
    A paved path between two yellow pillars topped by seated figures, leading to the gopuram ahead
    A wide still tank with steps on the far bank and a small shrine among trees
    A vaulted hall with a stone Nandi in the foreground and a lit doorway at the far end
    A small shrine doorway with lamps inside and a painted goddess in a round panel above
    A stucco Vinayakar in a blue niche above an arched entrance to a dark inner shrine
    Three coloured stucco figures in a niche above a small shrine with a worn yellow porch
    A seated black stone image under a carved arch, draped in an orange cloth, with flowers at its base
    A domed shrine and a small tower rising behind a long painted corridor wall
    A stone-walled shrine topped by a green domed roof, with a pillared corridor to the right
    A brick-paved courtyard with a pillared corridor on the left and the shrine dome behind