Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Bhimeshwarar Shrine

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Bhimeshwarar Shrine
This is the very ancient shrine situated at the extreme south – west corner of the Thiruchutrumalikaipatti. The Mahabharata explains the life and exploits of Bhima, whose name adorns the Sivalingam of this shrine. Bhima was the son of Kunti Devi and Vayu Deva and one of the five sons of Pandu through the incarnation that the sage Durvasa taught to Kunthi. He was born on the same day as Dhuryodhana, the eldest son Gandhari and king Yudhishtra.

Bhima was gifted from the birth with the strength of over fifty thousand elephants and lightning speed of his father. It is said that the entire Kurukshetra battle for the destruction of the evil depended on Bhima’s strength and on Arjuna, and their uncle Lord Krishna. The Bhimeshwara shrine has been there for centuries. Some devotee’s generally accept the belief that Bhima worshipped Lord Siva on this sacred spot.
This is located inside the Kalyana Mandapam. The ancient Bhimeshwarar Lingam Shrine has been at Arunachaleswarar Temple for centuries. Some say that Lord Bheema (who represents knowledge—jnana) worshipped Lord Siva at this sacred spot.