Lord Tirumeni Azhagar - Who is worshipped by Surya!


In this post we will read about Mahendrapalli Tirumeni Azhagar temple. The temple is situated at Mahendrapalli in Mayiladuthirai district of Tamil Nadu besides the banks of the Kaveri river. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Tirumeni Azhagar and His consort is Devi Parvathy in the form of Devi Vadivambigai. 

Having viewed the wife of Gautama Rishi with wrongful desires, Indra was cursed by the Rishi that he would have eyes erupting over his whole body. Distraught and disturbed by the curse, Indra roamed many a temple on the earth to get deliverance. Since he is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this particular place of the temple, the place came to be called as Mahendrapalli and the temple came to be constructed here. 

Usually the term 'Azhagar' (meaning handsome) is used only for Maha Vishnu. In this particular temple, Lord Shiva, the handsome deity is referred to as Azhagar. Lord Brahma Himself, as well as Surya and Chandra are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. In the month of Panguni, the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity of Lord Shiva. It is believed to be Surya's worship of Lord Shiva as the rays fall for seven consecutive days on the lingam. 

There is a legend that Lord Krishna performed Bodhayana Amavasya Tharpanam at the banks of the Theertham of this temple. There is an interesting episode behind this. Duryodhana was all set to declare war on the Pandavas and approached a lot of astrologers to get the auspicious time to begin the war. Since Sahadeva, one of the Pandavas, was the most renowned astrologer of his time, Duryodhana approached him for guidance on the correct astrological time. Sahadeva agreed to help him, even though Lord Krishna advised the former to not to help. Duryodhana declared that the Mahabharata war would begin on the next Amavasya. Even before the onset of Amavasya, Lord Krishna began the Tharpanam rituals. Thoroughly confused by His acts, all the celestial beings, including Surya and Chandra gathered together before Him and asked Him to explain His actions. Lord Krishna asked the assembled celestial beings - what is the meaning of Amavasya? They replied that it is the point of time when Surya and Chandra are together. Gesturing to both the grahas Surya and Chandra who were indeed together in front of Lord Krishna, He said that it was indeed Amavasya at that moment! And thus the great war of Mahabharata began at the time set by Lord Krishna Himself.

There is no shrine for the Navagrahas in the temple. However there are shrines for Rahu, Ketu and Shaneshwarar. Apart from these, there are shrines for Lord Chandikeshwara, Meenakshi and Sundareshwarar, Kashi Vishwanathar - Devi Vishalakshi, Dakshinamurthy, Bhairavar, Vinayagar as well as Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Devyani. 

People who are believed to be suffering because of past karmas as well as the adverse effects of Surya and Chandra are advised to dip themselves in the Brahma Theertham of this temple to get rid of their sufferings. Since the Theertham (pond) is attributed to Lord Brahma, people believe staunchly that He would get rid of their troubles. People also pray here to get rid of Sarpa Dosha and to achieve academic success. 

Om Namaha Shivaaya!

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