the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

Legend is that Lord Mahavishnu is said to have been blessed with his Discus (Chakrayudam) upon worshipping Lord Shiva in this temple. It is believed that in his battle against Sage Thutheesi, Lord Mahavishnu had used his discus (Chakrayudam). When the discus touched the sage’s body, it lost its sharpness and became defunct. Worried, Lord Mahavishnu consulted with the celestial gods (Devas) who advised him that Lord Shiva had the Sudharsana Chakram (discus) which he had created to destroy demon Chalandaran. Lord Mahavishnu came to this place (Thirumalpur) and worshipped Lord Shiva here every day by making an offering of a thousand lotus flowers. To test the determination of Lord Vishnu, it is believed that Lord Shiva caused shortage of one flower. To make up for this shortage, Lord Vishnu immediately plucked one of his eyes out and offered it along with the flowers. Pleased by his determination, Lord Shiva restored Lord Mahavishnu’s eye and blessed him by saying that since you offered your eye in place of a lotus flower, your eyes will have the beauty of the lotus flower itself and you will be praised as Padumashan. Lord Shiva also blessed him with the Sudharsana Chakram. Because Lord Mahavishnu was given the Chakra here, this place got the name Harichakrapuram (in Sanskrit) and Thiru Malpuram (Mal meaning Mahavishnu and Puram meaning village in Tamil). Similarly, Lord Shiva here is also praised as Sri Malvanangeeswarar (Mal meaning Mahavishnu and Vanangu meaning worship in Tamil). Lord Mahavishnu requested Lord Shiva that the devotees who offer their prayers here to be given the benefits of having worshiped all Shiva temples in the world. He also prayed that the devotees who visit the lord here may be granted salvation. Acceeding to Lord Mahavishnu’s request, Lord Shiva informed him that whoever chants his 1000 names or at least chants his eight names (Theentachivanthar, Sadarubar, Manikandar, Dayanithiyar, Pavalamalaiyar, Vattanthavirthar and Sakisanar), would be granted salvation. Another interesting aspect in this temple is that Adhikara Nandhi’s idol is in standing posture with a monkey’s face. It is believed that one day Ravana came to this temple to pray to Lord Shiva and entered the sanctum without Adhikara Nandhi’s permission. When he returned after his prayers, Nandhi told him that he should have obtained his permission before entering into the sanctum. Angered, Ravana told Adhikara Nandhi that being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and having been blessed by the lord himself, he did not need anyone’s permission to enter the sanctum santorum. He also cursed the Nandhi to have monkey’s face. In retaliation, Nandhi cursed him that he would be destroyed by a monkey. It is also believed that Moon God (Chandran) had also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 11th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi, (self-manifested).It is believed that the Moolavar of this temple is made of sand by Goddess Parvathi herself.This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is Theendathirumeni and is always covered by a metal sheet (kavacham). Lord Mahavishnu got his discus (Sudarshana Chakaram) from Lord Shiva here. This is an east facing temple that has two corridors and a main tower (Rajagopuram) with 5-tiers.This ancient temple is located on the banks of Virudhasheera river (Palaru) and is said to be more than 1500 years old. The temple is said to have been built by King Paranthaka Chola-I.Lord Mahavishnu is present in this temple as Senthamarai Kanna Perumal. His idol can be seen worshipping Lord Shiva. Although this is a Shiva temple, since Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, many Vaishnava traditions are also followed in this temple. Devotees are given holi theertham along with the sacred ash (Viputhi). They are also blessed with Chatari. Another interesting aspect is that “Garuda Seva” is observed in this temple during the Brahmotsavam festival. Many idols here are depicted in a very unique form - the Dwarabalakas are huge in size; Adhikara Nandhi is in a standing posture with a monkey’s face; Vinayakar can be seen with ten hands (as Vallabha Vinayakar); Goddess Durga devi is with 8 hands; and Lord Mahavishnu is in a standing posture with folded hands in front of Lord Shiva. The procession idol (Utsava Murthy) of Lord Mahavishnu is with a lotus flower in one hand and an eye in the other hand.

10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) is celebrated in a grand manner. During this festival, Theerthavari dedicated to Lord Shiva and Garuda Seva dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu are observed. Aani Tirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Velli and Aadi Puram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August), Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month Karthikai (November-December) and Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) are the other festivals celebrated in this temple. Monthly Pradosham is also observed.