| Mayuranathaswamy temple | |
|---|---|
 Gopura of the Mayuranathaswamy Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Mayiladuthurai |
| Deity | Mayuranathaswamy (Shiva) |
| Location | |
| Location | Mayiladuthurai |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Tamil Nadu | |
| Geographic coordinates | 11°5′44″N 79°39′22″E / 11.09556°N 79.65611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian |
Mayuranathaswamy Temple, Mayiladuthurai or Mayuranathar Temple is a Hindu temple in the town of Mayiladuthurai (formerly known as Mayavaram or Mayuram) in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mayuranathaswamy, a form of Shiva, and has given its name to the town itself.[1] The main icon is a lingam and the presiding deity is called Mayuranathar because the Hindu goddess Parvathi worshipped Shiva here in the form of a mayura.
On the day of the new moon in the Tamil month of Aippasi (November–December), religious Hindus have a ceremonial bath in the temple tank as it is believed to purify them from sins. An annual dance festival called the Mayura Natyanjali festival is celebrated within the precincts of the temple each year.
- ^ The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1908, Vol 17. Clarendon Press. 1908. pp. 238.