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There are two Ambika shrines 'Balambika and Sundarambika'. The wedding of Nandhi is celebrated on the Panguni Punarvasu star day in March-April. It is believed that those who attend this festival will get married soon Lord Somaskanda made of a single stone graces from a separate shrine.

In the shrine of Lord Brahmma in the temple, there are four Nandis representing the four Vedas. There are two Lord Dakshinamurthi shrines and a shrine for Mother Katyayini.The temple is praised in the hymns of Saints Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar.

There are three pits between Lord Shiva and Nandhi which devotees consider as Navagrahas, light Deepas and pray. Sage Markandeya grants darshan in the temple on Vaikasi Visakam Star day holding a Mazhu-a battle axe-like weapon.Hence, the place is named Mazhuvadi.

Sage Siladha, a resident of Tiruvaiyaru performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking child boon. A voice spoke to the sage telling him that his wish could be realized if he conducts the Puthrakameshti Yajna and he would get box with a child while tilling the land for the yagna. He was advised to bring up the child having longevity of just 16 years only. Siladha found the box and on opening it, found a child with 3 eyes, 4 shoulders and crescent moon adoring the head.

Struck by a shock, he closed the box and opened again and found a child in normal human form. He named the child Japesar.Japesar reached the age of 14 leaving just two years to complete the destined term of life. The sage was very sad. Knowing his father's agony, Japesar started penance by standing on one leg on the Ayana Theertha tank in Tiruvaiyaru. The creatures of the tank slowly began to consume him. Japesar was not deterred by the danger.

Lord Shiva, moved by his penance, cured him completely and granted a long life. Later, Japesar was married to Suyasambikai in Tirumazhapadi. Japesar continued his penance even after the marriage and was rewarded with a position as the chief of Shiva Ganas and further elevated as the first security chief at the first gate of Kailash and was named as Nandhi Deva.

Temple Timings:

The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Festivals:

Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple

The Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Sundarar.He addresses the Lord saying that whom he would think of after seeing his gold skinned Lord, clad in tiger skin, kondrai flowers spreading fragrance from His head, with lightning bright hair, the crescent moon, his King, and a precious gem blessing the world from Mazhapadi.

This is the 54th Lord Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. The wedding of Nandhi, the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva took place here.This temple is known for Shiva`s Taandavam with the Mazhuvaayudam for Markandeyar. Purushamriga Munivar established a shrine for Shiva here and Brahma unable to remove it called it Vajrastamba Moorthy.

The 108-ft. tall, seven- tiered Rajagopuram facing the east, situated just on the banks of the Coleroon (North Cauvery) presents a magnificent view from the river bed. The second gopuram with five tiers is about 80 ft. Both the towers are decorated with a rich array of sculptures.

Do's:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.