Mahendrapalli Temple
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Mahendrapalli Temple, also known as Mahendrapalli Sivastalam, is a revered Hindu shrine located near Aachaalpuram, in the vicinity of Kollidam, Tamil Nadu. Situated on the railroad between Chidambaram and Mayiladuturai, this temple holds a special place as the sixth Tevara Stalam on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region.
The Temple:
Mahendrapalli Temple faces east and features an entrance crowned with a three-tiered Rajagopuram, a characteristic of South Indian temple architecture. The innermost prakaram (enclosure) houses the deities of Lord Shiva, Ambal, and Nataraja. Within the outer prakaram, devotees can find shrines dedicated to various deities, including Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Bhairava, Lord Surya, and Lord Chandra.
Adjacent to the temple, there is an ancient settlement known as Teevukkottai, which is believed to be the place where the Nataraja image enshrined at Mahendrapalli was unearthed.
An interesting natural phenomenon occurs in this templeтАФthe sun's rays fall directly on the sanctum for a week during the Tamil month of Pankuni, adding to the temple's mystical aura.
The Tamil hymn of Tirugnanasambandar references the worship of this shrine by Lord Indra, the King of Devas.
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