Brahmapureeswarar temple,Tirukkadavur Mayanam
Location: Tiru-Kadavur-Mayanam
Deity known as: Brahmapureeswarar
Female Deity: Nimalakuchambikai
Pathikam: Tirunavukarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1
Gallery - Brahmapureeswarar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located about 2 km from the eastern entrance of Tiru-kadavur. Tiru-kadavur can be conveniently reached from Sirkazhi as well as Mayiladuthurai.
Temple Address
Tirukkadavur Mayanam
Mayiladuthurai District
Tamil Nadu
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Mayiladuthurai - 21.6 kms | |
| 2 | Tiru-Kadavur - 1.5 kms |
The Five Sacred Mayanam Temples
Five temples are collectively referred to as "Mayanam" temples. They are Kachi Mayanam (Kanchipuram), Kasi Mayanam, Kaazhi Mayanam (Sirkazhi), Nallur Mayanam, and Kadavur Mayanam. The term Mayanam signifies places where God Shiva burnt and dissolved Brahma Deva at the end of a cosmic cycle.
Cosmic Dissolution of Brahma
At the conclusion of a Brahma Kalpa, after the passage of innumerable yugas, Shiva burnt Brahma Deva and dissolved him into the cosmic void. Tirukadavur Mayanam is where Brahma was destroyed by Shiva. Following this event, all the Devas assembled at Tirukadavur Mayanam and fervently prayed to Shiva to resurrect Brahma for the continuation of creation.
Resurrection and Divine Knowledge
Heeding their prayers, Shiva resurrected Brahma and imparted to him the profound wisdom of Shiva Jnana, blessing him once again with the divine knowledge required for creation. Since Brahma attained realization of Shiva Jnana at this sacred place, it also came to be known as Tiru-Mei-Gyanam.
Hymns of the Three Nayanmars
Tirukadavur Mayanam holds a unique distinction in that it has received hymns from all three Saiva Nayanmar trinities – Appar, Thirugnana Sambandhar, and Sundarar.
Temple Architecture
West-Facing Orientation
Architecturally, this temple is one among the rare Shiva temples oriented towards the west. The western gateway opens into a spacious outer prakaram, and standing before the three-tiered inner gopuram are the Dwajasthambam, Nandi, and Balipeetam.
Main Sanctum - Brahmapureeswarar
Passing through the inner gopuram gateway, one reaches the west-facing sanctum of the presiding deity Brahmapureeswarar. To the north of the sanctum is the sannidhi of Singara Velar, oriented towards the south. A unique feature of this Singara Velar is that He is depicted holding a bow and arrow and is adorned with footwear, an uncommon iconographic representation.
Sri Pillai Perumal Sannidhi
Along the southern side of the western corridor is the sannidhi of Mahavishnu, worshipped here as Sri Pillai Perumal, portrayed in a standing posture holding the Conch and Chakra.
Goddess Nirmalakuchambikai
In the south-west corner of the outer prakaram, Goddess Nirmalakuchambikai graces devotees from her own east-facing dedicated sannidhi.
Brahma Theertham - The Sacred Well
Sacred Waters for Abhishekam
Outside the temple, to the south, lies the Brahma Theertham. The water from a nearby well is exclusively used for the Abhishekam of Amirthagateswarar at Tirukadavur.
Ganga Waters for Markandeya
When Markandeya, who was blessed by Shiva to remain eternally sixteen, desired to perform Shiva Puja, God Shiva brought the sacred waters of the River Ganga into this well to fulfill his devotion.
Legend of King Bakuleya
Legend also speaks of a king named Bakuleya, who wished to anoint all deities using the water from Brahma Theertham. When he poured this sacred water upon Brahmapureeswarar with the intent of using it for other deities too, the top of the Shiva Linga cracked open, and this divine mark is still visible on the Linga even today.
Annual Sacred Bath
The auspicious day on which the River Ganga flowed into Brahma Theertham occurred under the star Ashwini, in the Tamil month of Panguni. Even today, this day alone is observed annually, when devotees gather in large numbers to take a sacred bath in the waters of this well.
Sthala Vriksham
The Sthala Vriksham of this temple is Kondrai (Golden Shower Tree - Cassia Fistula).
Gallery - Brahmapureeswarar Temple
