Basic information about the temple
| Moolavar: | Parasunathar | Ambal / Thayar: | Gnanambikai |
| Deity: | Siva | Historical name: | |
| Vriksham: | Teertham: | ||
| Agamam: | Age (years): | Timing: | 6 to 11 & 4 to 8 | Parikaram: |
| Temple group: | Vaippu sthalam | – | |
| Sung by: | Temple set: | ||
| Navagraham: | Nakshatram: | ||
| City / town: | Muzhayur | District: | Thanjavur |
| Maps from (click): | Current location | Kumbakonam (6 km) | Thanjavur (36 km) |
| Tiruvarur (42 km) | Mayiladuthurai (44 km) |
Location
The temple is located very close to Patteeswaram, a few kms south-west of Kumbakonam.
Sthala puranam and temple information
When the Cholas had their capital at Pazhayarai, there were four main temples in the four cardinal directions – Keezhthali (east), Metrali (west), Vadathali (north) and Thenthali (south). Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling sacred cow of Devaloka, had four daughters – Patti worshipped at Keezhthali which is Patteeswaram (the village is named after her); Vimali worshipped at Vadathali; Sabali at Metrali and Nandhini at Thehthali (Muzhayur). This temple is considered the Thenthali.
Muzhavur gets its name from Muzhavu, a special musical instrument believed to be used by Siva’s ganas, is played here on Akshaya Tritiya.
Sage Parusurama incurred Brahmahathi dosham for killing his mother on the instructions of his father. In order to get rid of the dosham, he came to Muzhaiyur and prayed to Lord Siva by making a Lingam, and got rid of the dosham. This Lingam, named Parasunatha Lingam, is of the Beejakshara type – with tall face and having eight stripes on the body.
This is a west-facing temple, which is said to be special.
The specialty of this temple is the Ardhanareeswar in the koshtam as against the normal Lingodhbhavar. In the koshtam, apart from the regular shrines, there are also shrines for Nardana Vinayakar, Uchchishta Ganapati, Appar and Sundarar.
Murugan holds the Sakti Soolam in his hand instead of the Vel. The soolam rests on one finger of the left hand.
On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, devotees offer jasmine flower to the Lord. Worshipping at this temple is also said to help overcoming life’s difficulties in general, and specifically those connected with marriage and childbirth. Gnanambikai, Vinayagar, Murugan and Chandikeswarar come in procession along with Lord Parasunathar.
Other information for your visit
Kumbakonam is a temple town, and there are a number of temples in and around Kumbakonam. Please visit the pages on Kumbakonam, Near: Kumbakonam, and Near 25: Kumbakonam, for more information on these.
Kumbakonam and its outskirts have several accommodation options for all budgets, including some resorts.
Contact
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TN Temples Project 