The Mayapiran Temple is one of the five Vishnu

Vishnu

Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....

 temples associated with the five Pandava

Pandava

In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...

 brothers, the principal characters of the Mahabharata

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....

. It is believed that Bheema

Bheema

-Box office:In its opening week, the film grossed a record of 19 crores in Tamil nadu and fetched a record 5 crores in Thiruvarur alone, thus becoming the second biggest opening after Sivaji at that time. The film debuted at number one position at the Chennai box-office and grossed 58 lakhs in the...

, one of the brothers, performed penance at this site. It is one of the "Divya Desams

Divya Desams

Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars . 105 of these are located in India, 1 in Nepal, while 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms. 'Divya' in Tamil language indicates premium and 'Desam' indicates place or temple.The two major deities...

", the 108 temples of Vishnu

Vishnu

Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....

 reverred by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.

History

Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints - Nammalvar

Nammalvar

Nammalvar also Nammazhwar,Nammaazhvaar, Nammazhvar, Nammaalvaar, Nammalwar;Tamil: நம்மாழ்வார்) was one of the twelve Alvars, well known for his many hymns on devotion to Vishnu. Legend gives him the date 3102 B.C....

, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera

Chera dynasty

Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...

 Empire (800 - 1102 AD).

Legend

During Mahabharata

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....

 war, Bheema

Bheema

-Box office:In its opening week, the film grossed a record of 19 crores in Tamil nadu and fetched a record 5 crores in Thiruvarur alone, thus becoming the second biggest opening after Sivaji at that time. The film debuted at number one position at the Chennai box-office and grossed 58 lakhs in the...

 underwent penace worshipping the lord here. Bheema

Bheema

-Box office:In its opening week, the film grossed a record of 19 crores in Tamil nadu and fetched a record 5 crores in Thiruvarur alone, thus becoming the second biggest opening after Sivaji at that time. The film debuted at number one position at the Chennai box-office and grossed 58 lakhs in the...

 was the powerful among the five brothers and this temple is large indicating his largess. Also the Gatha, the weapon used by Bheema

Bheema

-Box office:In its opening week, the film grossed a record of 19 crores in Tamil nadu and fetched a record 5 crores in Thiruvarur alone, thus becoming the second biggest opening after Sivaji at that time. The film debuted at number one position at the Chennai box-office and grossed 58 lakhs in the...

is believed to be present in the temple.