the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

Sage Udhadhi: Sage Theerkadar was born to Sage Udhadhi the brother of Jupiter (Guru) and Mamathai. Theerkadar was well educated and became a scholar. One day he saw the divine cow Kamadenu near his hermitage. He requested Kamadenu to come with him and assist him in a yajna that he was about to conduct. Kamadenu said that she could not oblige him without the permission of Lord Indira. The sage tried to tie her but she cursed him to become an ordinary, blind man who would spend the rest of his life doing menial jobs (sandalan in Tamil). In turn the sage cursed Kamadenu to become an ordinary animal losing her divine powers. Sage Udhathi was saddened by the plight of his son. He came to this place on the advice of Maharishi Naradha, and worshiped the Lord Jalanatheeswarar. Lord Shiva gave dharisanam to the sage and advised him to pray to Nandhi and requested him to bring water from the holy Ganges to this place. He further advised the sage to perform abishekam with that holy water. To carry out the lord’s wishes, Sage Udhathi installed a separate shiva lingam and a Nandhi near to the Jalanatheeswarar temple and started his penance. This Shivalingam is praised as Sri Gangadhareswarar and this temple is called Sri Gangadhareswarar temple. The Goddess of this temple is named as Sri Mohanavalli. It is believed that Nandhi was pleased with his penance and created a tank near this temple and filled it with water from the Ganges itself. He is believed to have channelled water from the Ganges through his mouth. Thereafter the sage is believed to have performed abishekam to Lord Jalanatheeswarar with this water to complete his worship. He also named the lord as Thiruvooral Easwarar. He also advised his son Theerkadar to take a dip in the water tank and pray to Lord Shiva. Thereafter Theerkadar is believed to have been relieved from Kamadenu’s curse. Worshipped by Kamadenu : Kamadenu, the divine cow, is also believed to have worshipped the lord here by pouring milk on the lingam. She was relieved from Theerkadar’s curse and got back her original form and power. On knowing this, Lord Indiran is believed to have come to Thiruvooral and taken her back to the celestial world. Theenda Thirumeni : Another legend is that Goddess Parvathi returned to this place after having been insulted at her father Dakshan’s yagna. She is believed to have installed a lingam made of sand here. Once she was performing her penance, this region was inundated by flood water. In order to protect the lingam, Goddess Parvathi embraced it. This is evident from the markings that can still be seen on the idol. Since this Lingam is believed to have been embraced by Goddess Parvathi, it is not touched by human hands. Poojas are performed by the priests without touching it. Demon Thakkan : One more legend is that King Sivathithan who ruled Thiruvural was troubled by demon Thakkan. The King prayed to Lord Shiva of this temple who instructed Goddess Kali to destroy the demon. Goddess Kali executed the orders of Lord Shiva. For this reason, there is a separate shrine for Goddess Kali at the border of this place. This shrine attracts a large number of devotees. It is believed that since Thakkan cried loudly before being killed by Goddess Kali, this place got the name Thakkan Olam – Thakkolam (Olam meaning crying loudly). Another reason why this place is named Thakkolam is that the sacred tree of this temple is also called Thakkolam (Pottu). An alternate version of the legend associated with demon Thakkan is that when he conducted a huge yagna, he invited all celestial gods except Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva wanted to teach him a lesson and instructed Veerabathrar to disrupt the yagna. Veerabathrar stopped the yagna and punished Thakkan by removing his head and installed a goat’s head in its place. Thakkan realised his mistake and prayed to Lord Shiva to pardon him. Lord Shiva advised him to go the river bank and asked him to invite Lords Vinayakar, Mahavishnu and Brahma to witness his prayers. On Thakkan’s request, Lords Vinayakar, Mahavishnu and Brahma came to witness his prayers. Since Thakkan’s head had been replaced with that of a goat, his prayer sounded like the bleating of a goat. These prayers are called Chamakam and each line ends with syllable may. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva blessed him with salvation (moksham). It is believed that Sage Samvartha, Lords Mahavishnu, Indiran, Suryan, Chandran, Yama (lord of death), Saptha Kannikas (the seven divine virgins), Pandavas and Savitha Sivachariyar have also worshipped the Lord of this temple to seek absolution for their sins.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is Theendathirumeni. The 3-tiers main tower (Rajagopuram) is facing the west and has two corridors. The Moolavar’s shrine is facing east.This ancient temple is believed to have been built by king Rajaraja Chola-II. Periyapuranam refers to this place as Kalikai Maanagar. The Shiva Lingam here is significantly different. It is said that during the six months covering Utharayana Punya Kala (from January-February to June-July), the Shivalingam appears red. During the Dakshinayana Punya Kala (from July-August to December-January), the Shivalingam turns white. This temple is also famous as a parihara sthalam for doshas related to Guru (planet Jupitar). Here Lord Dakshinamurthy’ can be seen in a unique posture - in a seated posture. He has his head slightly tilted, legs crossed as if he is hearing all your requests. This is one of the most celebrated Dakshinamurthy temples in Tamil Nadu. Goddess Parvathi of this temple attracts a large number of devotees. She can be seen in standing posture facing north. Poojas are performed first to her and then only to Lord Shiva. Goddess Durgai’s posture is also different here - it is in a dancing form (Nadana Durgai) and looks very beautiful. Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Some of the major festivals celebrated in this temple are - 10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May), Skanda Sashti in the Tamil month of Ippasi (October-November), Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Aani Tirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Puratasi (September-October), Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (November-December), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and Masi Makam (February-March), Thai Poosam (January-February). Guru peyarchi and Pradosham are also observed regularly.