Shiva (Vaidyanathaswamy) temple · Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, India
Sri Vaidyanathaswamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, stands facing east on the northern bank of the Kollidam river. The presiding deity, a swayambhu linga, is worshipped with two consorts, Sundarambigai and Balambigai, who have separate shrines (The Hindu; Dinamalar).
Faith & Tradition
The temple was sung by the Tevaram saints Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar; by tradition the deity appeared to Sundarar in a dream and asked him to come and sing here, and the saint composed 'Ponnar meniyane' at this temple (Ariyalur district administration). Ayyadigal Kadavarkon, identified with the Pallava king Simhavarman, also praised it (district administration). Dinamalar counts it as the 54th Tevaram-hymned Shiva temple on the northern bank of the Cauvery.
The wedding of Nandi, Shiva's bull, is celebrated here on the Panguni Punarvasu day in March–April; it is believed that those who attend will soon marry (Dinamalar). Legend says the deity danced holding a 'mazhu' (axe), giving the place its name (The Hindu).
Heritage
The district administration explains that the place, once held by the Malavar clan of the Sangam age, was called Malavarpadi and later Thirumalapadi.
A renovation was completed before the temple's Mahakumbabhishekam on 8 February 2015, when kalasams were installed on its two seven-tier rajagopurams and 13 vimanas (The Hindu).
Two seven-tier rajagopurams and 13 vimanas, including those of Adhikara Nandi, Surya, Chandra, Subramanya, Vinayaka and Agoraveerabhadra (The Hindu).
Plan Your Visit
The Nandi wedding festival draws large crowds; confirm dates locally.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Celebrated on Panguni Punarvasu (Dinamalar).
Listed by Dinamalar.
Location
Thirumazhapadi is in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, on the northern bank of the Kollidam.
Location: Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, India
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (Vaidyanathaswamy) temples
Questions
At Thirumazhapadi in Ariyalur district, on the northern bank of the Kollidam.
The wedding of Nandi, celebrated on Panguni Punarvasu; attending is believed to bring early marriage.
Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar.
Sundarambigai and Balambigai, with separate shrines.
On 8 February 2015, according to The Hindu.
Further reading: Sri Vaidyanathaswamy Temple, Thirumazhapadi on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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