the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

The legend of this temple involves some arrogant sages from a place called Dharukavanam. In their excessive vanity, they thought themselves to be superior than gods. To teach them a lesson, Lord Shiva asked Mahavishnu to take the form of Mohini (a beautiful angel) to divert the attention of the sages from their penance which they claimed was unparalleled. It is believed that the sages failed in their penance because they were attracted by Mohini. At the same time, Lord Shiva took the form of Pitchandavar and went to the sages’ house to ask for alms. It is believed that the wives of the sages were so enamoured by Pitchandavar that they started following him. This incident further shattered the sages’ claims that their wives were most pious and devout. When the sages realised that this was all a play by Lord Shiva, they decided to perform a Yagna (Abhichara Velvi) and used evil spirits and mantras to kill Lord Shiva. They created various weapons including an elephant, a tiger and a demon (Muyalakan) to kill him. Lord Shiva stopped all their weapons, vanquished the elephant and the man-eater and used its skin as his dress. The lord danced upon the body of the demon. Later on, the sages realised their mistake and surrendered to Lord Shiva for pardon. Lord Shiva is believed to have danced upon the body of demon Muyalakan in this place. Hence the lord here is praised as Sri Narthanapureeswarar (Narthanam means dance in Tamil). It is believed that Goddess Saraswathi worshiped Lord Shiva here. The lord gave her his darshan in the form of fire (jyothir lingam). It is believed that in the Kretha Yug, Sage Kapila worshiped Lord Shiva here and received the Chintamani gem. Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) considered this place so sacred that he did not want to soil it by placing his feet there. It is believed that he travelled to this temple by standing upside down and walking with his hands. The lord gave his darshan to him under the Sthala viruksham (Jackfruit tree) on a new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb). Hence this place gets the name Thalaiyalankadu (Thalai means head in Tamil). It is believed that Saneeswarar, Kaali, Sage Kapila Muni and Saint Thirunavukkarasar have worshiped the lord here.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 93rd Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but it has an arch at the entrance. During the Sangam era, this place was known as Thalaiyalankaanam. Thalaiyalankaanam was the battle field where Pandiya king Nedunchezhiyan won against the combined armies of Chera and Chola. After this, he assumed the title of Thalaiyalankaanathu Seru Ventra Pandiyan (seru means war and ventra means conquered in Tamil). One of the Sangam epics Puranaanooru describes this war in detail. To substantiate this story, there are a few places near this temple having names such as Pandian Medu, Pandian Thidal etc. There are certain stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to 12th century. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).It is believed that this is one of the places where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance. The idol of Goddess Saraswathi is seen holding a bunch of palm leaves (Oolaichuvadi) in her hands instead of the Veena. Lord Saneeswarar’s shrine is in the hall in front of Goddess Parvathy’s sanctum and is facing the east direction. Such a placement is considered to be very auspicious. It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year for four days – 30th and 31st of Panguni and 1st and 2nd of Chithirai (Mar-Apr). The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple (in front of the sanctum) is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam). This looks very beautiful. This place is considered to be the first Aala Vanam (Banyan tree forest). It is believed that those seeking Santhana Prapthi (child boon) can pray to the lord here. Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, they will be absolved from the sins that their forefathers or ancestors had accrued (Pithru dosha). Devotees believe that by taking a dip in this temple’s holy water, and worshiping the lord, they will be cured of all skin ailments including leprosy.

Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and Appar Guru Pooja on Sadhaya star day in the Tamil month of Chithirai are the important festivals celebrated here. Some of the other festivals celebrated in this temple are – Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). Pradosham is also observed regularly.