Thirumeni Azhagar Temple Mahendra Palli

Thiru Gnana Sambandar praised the Lord as ‘Azhagar’ and compares the Lord to the ones at Thiru Kailayam, Thiruvarur and Thiruvanaikaval 

As with other HR & CE administered temples in TN, the priest, whose family had served the Lord through the 20th Century, is now paid a daily wage of Rs.20!!

10kms East of Achalpuram off the Alakkudi road on the banks of Kollidam is the ancient Thiru Gnana Sambandar praised Thirumeni Azhagar (Sundareswarar) temple in Mahendra Palli. This is the farthest location in the East in the region and there is no path across the Kollidam to reach the other side.

In his verses of praise on Mahendra Palli, Thiru Gnana Sambandar compares the greatness of this temple with Thiru Kailayam, Thiruvarur and Thiruvanaikaval.

A Vibrant Thevaram Sthalam

Till half a century ago, the Lord provided darshan to devotees on different vahanas. One finds a big temple tank at the Eastern end where Theppotsavam was conducted till the 1960s.

Senthil Gurukal has been performing pooja at the temple for over three decades and now gets just Rs. 20 per day as salary from the HR&CE but he continues to perform service to the Lord with sincerity. His father and grandfather had taken care of the temple for almost 100 years at miniscule salary. 

Special Features

Between the 7^th and 13^th day in Panguni, the Sun’s rays fall directly on the Lord. A unique feature at the temple is that Nandi’s neck is slightly tilted to the left.

The Saint Poet, who attained Mukthi near here at Achalpuram, has praised the beauty of the Lord and refers to him as ‘Thirumeni Azhagar’, the one with handsome features.  He also refers to Indra, Chandra, the Sun God and the great rishis as having performed pooja at Mahendra Palli.

 சந்திரன் கதிரவன் தகுபுகழயனெடும்

இந்திரன் வழிபட இருந்தவெம் இறையவன்

மந்திர மறைவளர் மயேந்திர பள்ளியுள்

அந்தமில் அழகனை யடிபணிந் துய்ம்மினே

There are still a few traditional houses in the agraharam that was once home to Saivites and Vaishnavites. There is also a big Perumal temple in Mahendrapalli, that has been recently renovated.

Dilapidated State

Such a historical temple with distinguishing features is now seen in a bad shape. Most of the Vahanas had been damaged and for decades there have been no vahana processions at this temple. 

The Temple tank is now dry with the Theppotsavam not having taken place in the last 50 years. The outer walls of the temple are seen in a broken state. The madaipalli has been non functional for a long time. In the middle of all this, the Gurukal is seen performing the daily service to the Lord with utmost commitment having imbibed the values from his forefathers who too served without much financial returns. 

It is hoped that the HR & CE will restore this historical temple to its past glory and also revive the grand utsavams. It is also hoped that the HR & CE will increase the salary of the priest to a fair level in line with the current cost of living.

The temple is open from 7am -1130am and from 5pm-730pm. Contact Senthil Gurukal @ 97511 00938.

How to reach

Mahendrapallil is 15kms East of Kollidam ( Chidambaram-Sirkazhi Highway) and 10kms East of the Thiru Gnana Sambandar Mukthi Sthalam of Achalpuram

(http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/06/thiru-gnana-sambandar-mukthi-utsavam.html)

Buses ply every hour between Kollidam and Mahendrapalli along a winding road amidst green fields. Auto at Mahendrapalli - Palani @ 90473 47357.

A version of this story featured in The Hindu Friday Review