Kanagapureeshwarar and Dhyana Nandhi of Mugaiyur

In a very silent and peaceful ambiance, Shri Kanagapureeshwarar temple of Mugaiyur, Tamilnadu is located about 89 kilometers from Chennai on the East Coast Road. While the construction of the temple itself was completed only three years ago, the Shivalinga here is ancient and has been estimated by archeologists to be about 1800 years old.

What is more unique to this temple is the Nandhi here. Nandhi is seated in Vajrasana and in deep meditation doing pranayama. With the forelimbs bent backwards, the eyes of this Nandhi is focused towards the centre point and the tongue is depicted to block the right nostril suggesting that the Nadhi is doing pranayama

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"This feature is believed to be the force behind the peacefulness one observes while entering this temple. Unlike in other temples, we do not allow the devotees to speak their prayers in Naandhi Bhagavan's ears because we do not want to disturb his dhyana", says the temple's High Priest Mr. Kannan.

Another special feature of this temple is that the Ganesha here is Aadi Vinayagar, an aroopa suyambu; i.e, with undefined features. Also the Navagraham here houses all nine planetary Gods along with their spouses, a feature said to be seen in only about 9 temples in Tamilnadu.