01Brahma’s ashes
Mayanam is the cremation ground. At the close of a kalpa Shiva reduces Brahma to ash, and the temple’s katha says it happened here; the devas pleaded, and the Lord restored Brahma and gave him the knowledge to create again. Kadavur Mayanam, Kazhi Mayanam at Sirkazhi and Nallur Mayanam are the Mayana temples of the Tevaram. The Brahma tirtham well to the south is held to carry the Ganga, and its water is taken daily for the abhishekam of Amritaghateswarar at Thirukadaiyur; on Ashwini in Panguni devotees bathe in it. Inscriptions call the Lord Tirumayanamudaiya Perumal; only Vijayanagara records use the name Brahmapureeswarar. A Chola king with folded hands and a long beard stands near the Dakshinamurti niche.
About 1.5 km east of the Amritaghateswarar–Abhirami temple in Thirukadaiyur; visit both together.
