On the northern bank of the river Cauvery, in Uttara Mayuram,(Mayiladuthurai) is situated this small lovely temple familiarly known as Vallalar Koil. The beautiful and panoramic view of the Cauvery with the Rishaba mantapam in the middle attracts pligrims and tourists.

The temple dedicated to Sri Medha Dhakshinamurthi at Vallalar Koil Mayuram is one among the 27 Devasthanams belonging to Dharmapuram Adheenam. His Holiness Sri-La-Sri Guru Maha Sannidhanam, Head of Dharamapuram Adheenam, who observes complete silence and fast every Thursday, visits the sannidhi regulurly.

The Main deity is Sri Vathanyeswarar and the Goddess goes by the name of Gnanambikai. On the southern side of the sanctum sanctorum is situated the shrine of Sri Medhaa Dhakshinamurthi.

Dhakshinamurthi is portrayed usually as a yogi under a banyan tree, his right hand held in Gnana Mudra, imparting wisdom silently to the aged munis sanakar, sananthanar, sanathanar and sanathkumarar.

Medha Dhakshinamurthi is seen sitting in yogaasana. with the right hand depicting the Gnana or Chinmudra and the left  holding a book.The remarkable feature of this Dhakshinamurthi is that he is seated on the Nandi. A banyan tree still provides the backdrop. A stone Nandi is found in front of him also.

The tank adjoining the temple goes by the name of Gnanamrutha saras. It also goes by the name Pancha Brahma Theertham. It is believed that those who take their bath in this on Karthigai Somavarams(Mondays) will be blessed with peace and plenty.

According to legend, Rishaba deva (nandi deva) felt proud that he was above all as he was carrying the Lord on his back. The Lord scented this feeling and wanted to teach him a lesson. So one day, he just placed a lock from his matted hair of his head on Rishaba deva.Unable to bear its weight, Rishaba Deva felt crushed and immediately realised his mistake. He prostrated before the Lord and craved his pardon. The Lord not only pardoned him but also intiated him into the mysteries of Divine Wisdom (gnanam). So even when the Lord took the form of Guru or Guru Murthi, Rishaba Deva was permitted to serve as His mount.

The Lord goes by the name of Vallalar or Vathanyeswarar meaning one who gives abundantly to his devotee, the seeker. The lord is also known as Kai Kaattum Vallalar - the lord who shows the hand-pose of Gnana Mudra (as if imparting wisdom).

According to another legend. Lord Siva started from Mount Kailas once, accompanied by  Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, Subramania and others. Nandi moved fast and reached the banks of the River Cauvery well in advance ot the others. He felt proud of his achievment and stood with his head raised. Lord Siva scented this attitude of his mount and pressed him with the toe of His right foot. Unable to bear the weight, Nandi went down to patala( the netherworld).  He begged the Lord to forgive him and requested his Upadesa-Siva Gnana Upadesa.

The Lord bade him stay at Mayuram in the middle of the River Cauvery and directed the River Ganges and other rivers should flow into the Cauvery on the new moon day in the month of Aippasi, when He could have his Upadesam at Uttara Mayuram. Hence the river came to be known as Rishabha Theertham at the spot. It is also said that the River Ganges come here on the particular day to wash off all the sins deposited into her by the millions of bathers from all over the country. It is believed that Ganga Devi is freed of all the sins and impurities by having a dip in the Cauvery and having Dharshan of Medha Dhakshinamurthi and Lord Vathanyeswarar.

Uttara Mayura Mahatmyam in sanskrit gives the history of the place in twenty chapters. Of these, the Upadesa Chapter is the most important. Tirisirapuram Mahavidwan Meenakshisundaram Pillai has sung the Sthalapuranam in Tamil.

His Holiness Sri-La-Sri Sivagnana Desika Swamigal, the 10th Maha Sannidhanam of Dharmapuram Adeenam has sung the praise of Lord  Dhakshinamurthi in ten stanzas which go by the name Sri Dakshinamurthi Tiruvarutpa a (translation in English is available in the Main Menu).

Apart from the idol in the moolastana,(sanctum sanctorum) there is a fine bronze image of Dhakshinamurthi in this temple. It is taken in procession on a silver Kailasa Vahanam during the month of Aippasi on newmoon day. Another unique mount, the Crocadile(Makara) is used for carrying the Goddess Ganga to the Cauvery.

The sannidhi of Sri Medha Dhakshinamurthi attracts the attention of one and all on every Thursday when the Lord is adorned with the gold Kavacham made by His Holiness Sri-La-Sri Gura Maha Sannidhanam of Dharmapuram Adeenam with the co-operation of the general public.

Every year in the month of Karthigai, a grand Maha Abhishegam is done to the Lord by the Medha Dhakshinamurthi Mahabhishega Association. Special abhishegams and aradhanas are performed when the planet  Jupiter (Guru) moves from one zodiac to the other(one Rasi to other).

Medha means Gnanam or Wisdom. So Medha Dhakshinamurthi at Mayuram is here to infuse wisdom itno mortals and the residents of Mayuram are realluy fortunated in having His dharshan every Thursday.

The world's first spiritual teacher is Lord Dhakshinamurthi who spread knowledge through His silence and by a mere gesture. Those who meditate regularly and intensely on Lord Dhakshinamurthi will earn His grace and attain wisdom.