the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

The legend is that once Lord Shiva was teaching the meaning of Vedas and Agamas to Goddess Parvathi in Mount Kailash. Since she failed to listen attentively, Lord Shiva cursed her to be born in Bharathavar (fishermen) community. Angered by this, Lord Murugan threw the Vedas in the sea. Lord Shiva cursed him to be born as a mute child in the traders community. Murugan was born in Madurai as Rudrasanmar to Thalapathy and Gunasalini. Since he could not speak, he started visiting many Shiva shrines to seek relief and gain the gift of speech. He was blessed with speaking skills at Erukkathampuliyur. As Lord Murugan (also called Kumaran) worshipped Lord Shiva in this place, the Lord here is named Thiru Kumara Swami. There is an idol of Rudrasanmar in the temple. This is the birth place of Saint Thiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar, a maestro of the Yazh (a lute). He is one of the celebrated saints of Hindu mythology and a member of the 63 Nayanmars. Yazhpanar and his wife Madhanga Soolamani Ammaiyar accompanied and played Yazh with Saint Thirugnanasambanthar during most of his pilgrimages.Thirugnanasambanthar’s legend states that during his wedding at Nallur Perumanam near Sirkazhi (Achalpuram), he along with all the attendants at his wedding were consumed by a huge fire (Shiva Jyothi) and were granted salvation by Lord Shiva. Both Yazhpanar and his wife are also believed to have been among those attendees. It is also believed that at a much later date, a woman from Yazhpanar’s lineage composed the melodic musical notes for the Devaram on the advice of a Chola King. These notes are called Pann in Tamil. Sage Viyakrapathar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. There are five Shiva Sthalams where Sage Viyakrapathar worshiped Lord Shiva and the names of all these places end with “Puliyur”. They are - Erukkatham Puliyur, Omam Puliyur, Perumpattra Puliyur, Thirupathiri Puliyur, and Thiru Perum Puliyur. Pulikkal Munivar was the son of Madiyanthina Munivar. He was also called Bala Munivar as he became a sage at a very young age. He lived in Chidambaram and worshipped Lord Shiva there. He used to pluck flowers from various trees in the surrounding areas to worship the Lord. Since he wanted to pluck the flowers before the flies or bees could take their nectar (magarantham), he would do so during pre-dawn. He prayed to Lord Shiva that he may be given the feet and eyes like that of a tiger so that he could see in the dark and climb the trees easily. His prayers were answered and he came to be known as Pulikkal (Pulikkal means tiger legs in Tamil) Munivar. He was also known as Vygrapather (Vyagra is tiger in Sanskrit). It is believed that he would make offerings of four types of flowers - kodi po from the creepers, neer poo found in water, nila poo found on earth and kottum poo the flowers that fell to the ground on their own. Another legend is that a king named Suvedhan, a staunch Lord Shiva devotee, was infected with leprosy due to his past sins. It is believed that he got relieved of this disease by worshipping the Lord here and taking a dip in this temple’s sacred tank. Incidentally, Erukku plant is said to have the power to cure leprosy. According to the Sthala Puranam, Chola King Raja Rajan visited this temple and worshiped the lord here to seek child boon. The King was blessed with a son, Rajendra Chola, hence this place was also given the name Rajendra Pattinam. It is also mentioned that some of Poodhaganams (the Lord’s guards) visited Virudhachalam temple and sought the lord’s help to find a place where they could attain liberation. The lord advised them to go to Erukkathampuliyur. It is believed that they came to this temple, worshiped the lord and attained salvation. Another legend mentioned in the Sthala Puranam is related to the erukku plants around this temple. After knowing about the greatness of the lord of this temple, some of the Sages (Naimisaranya Rishis) and Devas in the celestial world came to this place in the forms of birds and trees and worshiped the lord here. However, they were troubled by the wood cutters and hunters and they complained to Lord Shiva. Then they heard a divine voice directing them to become Erukku plants because these plants are not useful to anybody and hence there would be no danger to them. Goddess Parvathi’s shrine is on the left side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. Both these shrines are in the same direction. It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for five days from March 16 to 20 (Tamil month Pankuni 3 to 7).

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 4th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is the birth place of Saint Thiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar. Sage Viyakrapathar, also called Pulikkal Munivar in Tamil, whose legs are believed to have been like those of a tiger (tiger is puli in Tamil), worshiped the lord here. Also, the Sthala Viruksham of this temple is the white erukku (Calotropis) plant, hence this place gets the name Erukkathampuliyur (Atham means forest in Tamil). Now this village is called as Rajendra Pattinam.

Special worship on Krittika nakshatra, Special worship on Mondays and Fridays besides daily worship, In the month of Chithirai (Apr-May) 10 days Vasant Utsav is held and the mulavar is paraded on different mounts. The shatabhisha nakshatra festival is associated with Appar’s salvation. Vaikasi (May-June) 10 day Brahmotsavam festival. Pancha murtis are paraded on various mounts. Adi Purva Phalguni festival for 10 days. Margazhi (Dec-Jan) 1 day Ardra darshan festival. Manikkavasagar utsav for 10 days.