Mayiladuthurai formerly Mayuram or Mayavaram) is a city and a municipality in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu. The town is located in the historic Thanjavur area on the banks of river Cauvery. History Legends say that due to a curse, Goddess Parvathi took birth as peacock in Mayuram and worshipped Lord Shiva in his form of Mayuranathar. Mayuram means peacock in Sanskrit and it was later translated as Mayiladuthurai in Tamil language. several saints lived and attained their final peace (samadhi) in and around Mayiladuthurai. Many siddhars also have lived here. Even today there is a village called Sidharkaadu in the western outskirts of Mayiladuthurai. Legends also tell that it was a part of Tharukavanam.   

“Ayiram Anaalum Mayuram Agaadhu” is an old saying. This means that there may be a thousand places with a thousand specialities; however, they can never be even compared with Mayuram (Mayiladuthurai). This saying is predominantly used even today to support and uphold the cultural heritage, agricultural and economic advancements in Mayuram.   

Spatiality in Mayiladuthurai   

Mayiladuthurai is famous for its Gold Jewelry business and its Marriage-Halls. Nearly a hundred marriage-halls are there in the town and people from various places come here to conduct marriage ceremonies because of Mayiladuthurai’s best-in-class (cheap & readily-available) people and services for marriage ceremonies.   

In Ancient days, Koorainadu (suburb of Mayavaram) was famous for the silk sarees (9 yards) weaving and still Tamil people are using the word “kooraip pattu” (koorai silks) and kooraip puDavai (sari).   

Natiyanjali Festival   

Mayiladuthurai is also famous for the Natiyanjali festival. Smilar to Chidambaran Nataraja temple’s Natiyanjali, in Mayiladuthurai there is another Natiyanjali called “MAYURA NATIYANJALI”. Mayura Natiyanjali is celebrated every year in out Mayuranathar temple (Periya Kovil) during the time of Maha Sivarathiri.   

Temples in & around Mayavaram   

Mayooranathar Temple – The Mayooranathar Temple, also called the ‘big temple’ is a temple dedicated to Shiva where Thevaram is recited.   

Vallalar Temple – Vallalar Temple in the northern bank of river Cauvery is a famous Shiva temple known for its Guru shrine.   

Ayyarapper Temple – Ayyarapper Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is located at the center of the city. Thula Festival is famous in this temple and it is celebrated in the month of October.   

Parimala Ranganathar temple – Parimala Ranganathar temple, the Vishnu temple in Thiru-Indalur suburb is one among the 108 Dhivya Desams.   

Gangai konda Cholapuram, a more than 1000 years old temple is just 40 km from mayiladuthurai. It is a must-see historic place.   

Navagraha temples are situated around this town. There are many famous temples in Mayiladuthurai’s vicinity, most important amongst which is Vaitheeswarankoil. The temple complex is known to house many astrologers employing a method of fortune telling called NADI Jyothidam. The town also has a Medhaa Dakshinamurthi temple. Other temples of importance include the Sukran Temple and a temple in TirukkaDavUr is dedicated to Lord AmirthakaDEswarar and Goddess Abirami.   

Senthangudi Durga Temple – Durga Temple is also famous and is 2 km from Mayiladuthurai.   

Tirupambupuram Temple – Tirupambupuram is a very ancient Shiva temple. It is known as Dakshina Kalahasti. It is located near peralam (7 km west).   

Thirumanancheri Temple – Thirumanancheri Temple is very famous very near from mayiladuthurai.   

Kannagi Temple – The Kannagi Temple is in Melaiyur which is located around 24 km from Mayiladuthurai.  Poompuhar is 4 km from Melaiyur. Punugiswarar Temple – The Punugiswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva & consort santha nayaki.Situated at koranad.Workshipped by civet cat.

 ’Sri Vanamutti Perumal,Kozhikuthy(located 5 kms outside the town in Kumbakonam Road) near Mayavaram,is a Unique Temple,having its main God Lord Srinivasa Perumal(Fondly “Vaanam-mutti” Perumal-since He kept on Growing) standing for 16 ft. Bold textheight.The most special Feature is that the entire Idol Is carved out of Single Fig Tree with its real roots going underneathItalic text even today.Over the Wood the idol is marvellously coated With Ajanta Paintings which is attractive even today though the Temple is built during Chola Period around 1500 yrs ago.The Temple is a rich source of Architectural Excellence as well as the home of Divine Lord.