01Dakshayani’s tapas
The temple’s katha follows the Daksha yagna: after Veerabhadra destroyed the sacrifice at nearby Tirupariyalur, Dakshayani came here to be cleansed of being Daksha’s daughter and stood in the five fires until the Lord took her back as Sugandha Kundalambikai, the Devi with fragrant hair. Lakshmi, Indra and Murugan are also said to have worshipped here, so the town has been called Lakshmipuri, Indrapuri and Gandhapuri. The swayambhu linga sits on a lotus pedestal of sixteen petals above and sixteen below. An old Bhikshatana image stands in the mahamandapa. Sambandar’s verse says no misery comes near those who worship the Lord of Semponpalli.
Visiting
In Sembanarkoil town, about 10 km from Mayiladuthurai on the Tarangambadi road.
