the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

Goddess Parvathy’s penance: It is believed that once Goddess Parvathi wanted to understand the full meaning of the five lettered Mantra (Na Ma Shi Va Ya) and the significance of the sacred ash. She requested Lord Shiva to explain it to her. While Lord Shiva was teaching her, she was attracted by the beauty of a peacock dancing there. For her lack of attention, Lord Shiva cursed her to become a peacock. For relief from this curse, he advised her to go to Earth and perform penance. She worshiped Lord Shiva under a Punnai tree in this place in the form of Peacock. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her, relieved her from the curse and named her Karpagambal. Hence the lord here is known as Sri Punnaivana Nathar (Punnai vanam means a forest of Punnai trees). The idol of Goddess Parvathi in a peacock form can be seen in this shrine. Lord Punnaivana Nathar’s shrine under a Punnai tree (Sthala Vriksham) can be seen in the outer corridor. The name Mayilai or Mylapore is derived from the legend that the Goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock. Lord Brahma’s pride: Another legend is that Lord Brahma worshiped the lord here and got relieved from his sins. Once, it is believed that he was arrogant and thought himself to be the equal of Lord Shiva. To teach him a lesson and to rein in his pride, Lord Shiva nipped one of Brahma’s head and held the skull in his hand. Kapala in Sanskrit means skull, hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as Sri Kapaleeswarar and this place is called Kapaleeswaram. Lord Murugan’s Penance : Before waging his war on the demon Surapadma, Lord Murugan performed penance in this temple. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy blessed their son and gifted him the weapon Vel (spear) to conquer the demon. Lord Murugan returned triumphantly as Singaravelan. After the demon Surapadman’s defeat, he took the form of a peacock and became Lord Murugan’s mount (Vahanam). After Lord Murugan’s return, Lord Indiran gave his daughter Deivanai’s hand to Lord Murugan for marriage. Iravadham, Lord Indiran’s elephant could not bear the separation of Deivanai and chose to stay with her. In this temple, Lord Murugan gives darshan to his devotees with his consorts Valli and Deivanai sitting on the Iravadham. Seeing Lord Murugan in such a form is very rare. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Pumpavay: The temple is closely associated with the history of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar who restored Pumpavay to life from the bones and ashes preserved by her father Sivanesar. The father was intending to give his daughter to the saint in marriage. But fate had it that she died of a snake bite. Yet, the father preserved her bones in a pot to be handed over to the saint whenever he visited this place. When Sambandar came to this place, Sivanesar told him the sad story and placed the pot before the saint. Sambandar rendered a pathigam containing 10 verses, beginning with the line, Mattitta Punnai. In his pathigam, he listed the various festivals celebrated in this temple before asking Pumpavay how she could miss all of these festivals. After he finished his pathigam, the pot broke off and Pumpavay came out of it alive in her beautiful form. Everyone was amazed to see the power of the saint’s songs. Pumpavay’s father urged Sambanthar to accept his daughter’s hand in marriage. However, Sambandar told him that he had now become her father as he had given her life again. For this reason, he could only see her as his daughter. Pumpavay spent the rest of her life worshiping Lord Shiva before attaining salvation. Vayilar Nayanar : This is also the birth place of Vayilar Nayanar, one among the 63 Nayanmars. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. It is believed that he constructed a temple inside his mind (manaseekamaka) and worshiped Lord Shiva there. He had transcended the stage of idol worship. He had attained such purity of heart and clarity of vision that he did not need the aid of symbols or rituals. He was able to raise his mind to the sublime heights of the abstract before attaining salvation. The inclusion of Vayilar Nayanar among the 63 Nayanmars highlights the facts that devotion is of many types. Whatever be the path one chooses, ultimately, the goal is to be united with Lord Shiva. Hindu mythology has often emphasised that there is no stereotyped spiritual path and idol worship is not the only way to attain salvation.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 24th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is the most popular of the Sapthasthana temples in Chennai. This is the birth place of Vayilar Nayanar- one of the 63 Nayanmars. This is the birth place of Thiruvalluvar. This east facing temple has a 7-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors. The 3-tiered west facing tower is facing the temple’s sacred tank. The historical name of this place is Kapaleecharam. Mylapore is on the sea coast and the shore is just one kilometre away. There are three places where Goddess Parvathy took the form of peacock (Mayil in Tamil) and worshiped Lord Shiva – they are Mayiladuthurai (Mayuram), Thirumayiladi and Mylapore. The original temple was located near the sea but was believed to have been submerged in the sea. The current temple was built around 350 years ago. The temple’s towers are very beautiful. There is a big tank opposite to the temple’s western tower. In the Cauvery river belt, there are a group of seven temples called the “Saptha Sthaana temples”. These are - Thiruvaiyaru, Thirupazhanam, Thiruchotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thirukandiyur, Thirupoonthuruthi and Thiruneithanam. Similarly, near Mylapore there are seven (Saptha Sthaana) Shiva temples. These includes – (1) Sri Karaneeswarar Temple, (2) Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple, (3) Sri Velleeswarar Temple, (4) Sri Virupaksheeswarar Temple,(5) Sri Valeeswarar Temple, (6) Sri Malleeswarar Temple, and (7) Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple. Devotees should keep in mind that practice of worshiping these seven Shiva temples predates to Thiru Gnanasambanthar's time. It is significant to note that when he visited Mylapore, he visited these temples in that order. It is believed that Lord Ram visited this sacred place and worshiped Lord Shiva here. It is also believed that the Vedas, Planet Sukran and Sage Kasyapar have worshiped the lord of this temple.

Almost all festivals related to Lord Shiva temple are observed in a grand manner here. Some of the important ones are – 10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). On the 8th day of Brahmotsavam, the event of Sambanthar giving rebirth to Pumpavay is celebrated. The 63 Nayanmars festival is very popular in this temple and draws a large number of devotees. During Maasi Maham in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar), the Kadalattu Vizha (Theerthavari) is celebrated. This temple attracts a large number of devotees on new moon and full moon days and during Pradosham.