Mayiladuthurai

Name and significance
Legends say that due to a curse, Goddess Parvathi took birth as peacock in Mayuram and worshiped Lord Shiva in his form of Mayuranathar. Mayuram means peacock in Sanskrit and it was later translated as Mayiladuthurai in Tamil language. According to the book Mayiladuthurai Mahaangal (Saints of Mayiladuthurai), several saints lived and attained their final peace (samadhi) in and around Mayiladuthurai. Many siddhars also have lived here. Even today there is a village called Sidharkaadu in the western outskirts of Mayiladuthurai. Legends also tell that it was a part of Tharukavanam.

Mayuram Proverb
ஆயிரம் ஆனாலும் மாயூரம் ஆகாது "Ayiram Anaalum Mayuram Agaadhu" is an old saying. This means that there may be a thousand places with a thousand specialities; however, they can never be even compared with Mayuram (Mayiladuthurai). This saying is predominantly used even today to support and uphold the cultural heritage, agricultural and economic advancements in Mayuram.[citation needed]

Famous Personalities
Maha Vidhwan Meenakshi Sundaram pillai lived in Mayuram. Tamil Grandfather U.Ve. Swaminadha Iyer was a student of Meenakshi Sundaram pillai. Mayuram Vedanayakam Pillai, who wrote "Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram" , the first Tamil Novel was a Munsif here. Amarar Kalki Ra. Krishnamurthy studied in Municipal high school, Mayuram. Renowned Carnatic musician Madurai Mani Iyer, Mayuram Rajam Iyer, Violin artist Mayuram Govindaraja Pillai ( disciple of kumbakonam Rajamanikkam pillai ) were residents of Mayuram. Sri Gopala krishna Bharathiyar who wrote "Nandanar Sarithiram" lived in Anandathandavapuram, 5 km from Mayuram. Current world chess champion Viswanathan Anand hails from this town. One of the institutions that was formed for the flourishing of Saivam and Tamil, Dharmapuram Adheenam ( Mutt ) is in the eastern part of Mayuram.

Utha Vadieshwarar Temple - The Utha Vaideshwarar Temple, also called the 'big temple' is a temple dedicated to Shiva Located at a Kuttalam.

Mayooranathar Temple - The Mayooranathar Temple, also called the 'big temple' is a temple dedicated to Shiva where Thevaram is recited.
Education
Mayiladuthurai is the headquarters of an Educational district.

colleges
A.V.C. College
AVC College of Engineering
AVC Polytechnic
Dharmapuram Adhinam Arts & Science College, Dharmapuram, Mayiladuthurai.
Gnanambigai College for Women - Rajanthottam, Mayiladuthurai.
ARC Viswanathan Arts & Science College, Mayiladuthurai.
J.M.H Arabic College,Nidur . Mayiladuthurai.
[Poompuhar College, Melaiyur, Mayiladuthurai.]Website
Poriyar College
Schools
D.B.T.R.National Higher Secondary School
Municipal Higher Secondary School
Kittappa Municipal Higher Secondary School
Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School
St. Paul's Girls Higher Secondary School
Guru Gnana Sambandar Mission Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Raj Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Arivalayam Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Sri Guru Gnana Sambandar Higher Secondary School,Dharmapuram,
Rotary Club Mat Higher Secondary School
Silver jublee Matriculation Higher Secondary School
A.R.C.Kamatchi Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Moovalur Muthatti Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Secondary school
Azaad School
Nasrul Muslimeen Higher Secondary School, Nidur,Mayiladuthurai.
Al Haji metriculation School, Nidur, Mayiladuthurai.
[edit] Music schools
Mailai Sapthaswarangal_Fine Arts Academy, palakarai, Mayiladuthurai.

Vallalar Temple - Vallalar Temple in the northern bank of river Cauvery is a famous Shiva temple known for its Guru shrine.

Ayyarapper Temple - Ayyarapper Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is located at the center of the city. ThulA Festival is famous in this temple and it is celebrated in the month of October.

Parimala Ranganathar temple - Parimala Ranganathar temple, the Vishnu temple in Thiru-Indalur suburb is one among the 108 Dhivya Desams.

Gangai konda Cholapuram, a more than 1000 years old temple is just 40 km from mayiladuthurai. It is a must-see historic place.

Navagraha temples are situated around this town. There are many famous temples in Mayiladuthurai's vicinity, most important amongst which is Vaitheeswarankoil. The temple complex is known to house many astrologers employing a method of fortune telling called NADI Jyothidam. The town also has a Medhaa Dakshinamurthi temple. Other temples of importance include the Sukran Temple and a temple in TirukkaDavUr is dedicated to Lord AmirthakaDEswarar and Goddess Abirami.

One of the institutions that was formed for the flourishing of Saivam and Tamil, Dharmapuram Adheenam (Mutt) is in the eastern part of Mayuram.

It is the most important location for "Tula snaanam", in the river Kavery in the Tamil month of "Aippasi".

Moovalur Markasagaya shiva temple constructed by Kulothunga cholan is 4 km away from Mayiladuthurai.

Senthangudi Durga Temple - Durga Temple is also famous and is 2 km from Mayiladuthurai.

Tirupambupuram Temple - Tirupambupuram is a very ancient Shiva temple. It is known as Dakshina Kalahasti. It is located near peralam (7 km west).

Thirumanancheri Temple - Thirumanancheri Temple is very famous very near from mayiladuthurai

Kannagi Temple - The Kannagi Temple is in Melaiyur which is located around 24 km from Mayiladuthurai.Poompuhar is 4 km from Melaiyur.

Punugiswarar Temple - The Punugiswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva & consort santha nayaki.Situated at koranad.Workshipped by civet cat.

Mayiladuthurai.