Mayuranathaswamy Temple, also known as Mayuranathar Temple, is a historic Hindu temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Mayuranathaswamy. The town’s name derives from the temple, where the main deity is a lingam worshipped by Parvati in the form of a peahen (mayura). Religious Hindus flock here during the Tamil month of Aippasi, particularly on the new moon, to bathe in the temple tank for spiritual purification.
The temple’s Mayura Natyanjali festival, an annual dance celebration, is held within its sacred grounds, drawing visitors from across the region. Mayuranathaswamy Temple is part of a group of holy temples along the Cauvery River, considered as auspicious as Kasi. Among these, temples in Thiruvayyaru, Thiruvidaimarudur, and Thiruvenkadu hold similar reverence. The temple’s beauty and spirituality are celebrated in ancient Tamil Tevaram hymns by Saivite Nayanar saints.
This ancient Chola-built temple boasts remarkable Dravidian architecture, including a nine-tiered gopura at its eastern entrance, rising 194 feet in height. A striking idol of Durga is positioned near the northern entrance, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. The temple houses smaller shrines to Ganesha and Shiva as Nataraja, each with intricate carvings that narrate the mythology of Parvati’s transformation and her eventual release from a curse through Shiva’s blessings.
The temple complex measures 719 by 520 feet and has an expansive temple tank. This tank is a pilgrimage destination, particularly during the Tamil Aippasi month, as it’s believed the waters of sacred Indian rivers unite here on the new moon, absolving bathers of sins. Visitors also admire ancient sculptures, including one depicting a devotee's intense offering to Shiva. The Mayuranathaswamy Temple remains a testament to Tamil Nadu’s religious and architectural heritage.