Mahendrapalli Temple

Mahendrapalli Temple is one of the 275 Shiva Sthalams situated in Koiladipalayam of Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Mahendrapalli  is the 6th in the series of Tevara Stalangal on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamilnadu. This east fronting temple has an entrance topped with a three tiered Raaja Gopuram. The innermost prakarm preserves Shiva, Ambal and Nataraja. The outer prakaram has shrines devoted to Ganesha, Vishnu, Bhairava, Surya and Chandra.

Near this temple is an antediluvian settlement by the name Teevukkottai; the Nataraja image treasured at Mahendrapalli was apparently exhumed here.

History:

For his incorrect desire on Akalika wife of Maharshi Gautama, Indira was cursed by the Rishi to have eyes all over his body. He came to Earth and pleaded to Lord Shiva for relief in many places and this is one amid them. As Indira – Maha Indira worshipped here the place came to be known as Mahendirapalli. A temple was set up here later. Shiva is said to have exposed a hallucination of his Cosmic Dance to the sages here, at this shrine worshipped by Surya, Chandra, Indra and Bhrama. Sundarar has mentioned this shrine in his Patikam devoted to Tiruppunkur

Special Features:

The rays of Sun fall on the Lord in the month of Panguni, March-April.

Festivals:

The main festivals celebrated here as follows:

Worships:

Those in anguish from the malevolent results of past birth (poorva janma karmas), those facing adverse effects due to Sun, Moon aspects in their horoscopes have a dip in the Brahma theertha in the temple for cures. As the sanctified spring is attributed to Lord Brahma the Creator, it is the faith of the people that Brahma would amend the destiny of the devotee positively. Devotees also pray for relief from snake aspects and to gain brilliance in academic pursuit.

Shlokas recited:

“Om Bootha Nathaya Vidhmahe Bava Nandhanaya Dheemahe Tanno Sastha Prachodayaath”

Meaning:

We worship Lord Shiva’s son, Ayyappa. Salutations to Saastha (Ayyappa). May Ayyappa encourage our creativity.

“Mattha Mathanga Gamanam Karunyamrutha Pooritham Sarva Vigna Haram Devam Sastharam Pranamamyaham”

Meaning:

I salute Lord Ayyappa, who has an elephant’s gait, who is compassionate and who destroys all obstacles.

“Loka Veeryam Mahaa Poojyam Sarva Rakshaakaram Vibhum Parvathee Hirdya Anandham Saasthaaram Pranamaamyaham”

Meaning:

I bend down to Lord Shastha, who defends Dharma and Sastra and who brings happiness to Parvathi’s heart, the fearless warrior that protects all, who has great glory and who warrants great admiration and devoted worship.

“Bhoothanatha, Sadananda, Sarva Bhootha Daya Para, Raksha Raksha Maha Baho, Sasthre Thubham Namo Nama”

Meaning:

I offer my salutations to Lord Sastha, the master of all beings, who is infinitely every happy, who is merciful towards everyone, I pray, protect me great hero.

“Om Boodha Naathaya Vidmahe Bhavaputhraaya Dheemahi Thanno Saastha Prachodayaath”

Meaning:

We worship Lord Shiva’s son, Ayyappa. Salutations to Saastha (Ayyappa). May Ayyappa encourage our creativity.

The deity:

Sri Chandikeswara graces with his ensemble in the prakara. There is a distinct shrine for Lord Sri Vinayaka with Rahu and Ketu on both sides. Lord Muruga graces from His shrine with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. There are shrines of Sri Kasiviswanatha – Mother Visalakshi, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Bhairavar and Saneeswarar-Saturn, Sun and Moon. There is no shrine for Navagrahas- 9 planets in the temple.

Temple timings:

The temple is open from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.