Vagheeswarar Temple, Peruncheri, Nagapattinam
Vagheeswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Peruncheri Village near
Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called
as Vagheeswarar and Mother is known as Swantharanayagi.
Legends
Legend of Bitchadanar:
Along
with Tiruvazhuvur, this place is also connected with the legend of Bitchadanar.
The village is known as Peruncheri (Perum + Cheri = a vast group) because once
40,000 sages of Tharukavanam lived in this village and performed severe
penance. They thought penance itself will provide everything and there is no
superior God and their ladies were also equally egoistic. To teach them the lesson,
Shiva took the form of a beautiful full – nude beggar as Bitchadanar
accompanied by Vishnu as Mohini with all their sheen, came here, fought with
the rishis, taught them the lesson and blessed them as well.
Shiva vanished Brihaspati sorrow:
The dispute for ‘Dharadevi’ (wife of Devaguru)
between Chandra and Brihaspati made Brihaspati much worried and upset. He went
on Kshetra Dana to different places and finally coming here, he got peace. He
worshipped Ambal in his mind and from his mind; Ambal directly came out (Swa +
anthara + Nayagi) and so called Swantharanayagi. Finally Shiva blessed him
(vagh + Eswara; Vagh here means Brihaspati) and his sorrow vanished
totally. Later, Chandra, Thara and Saraswathi – all worshipped here.
Kali slayed Yavanan for Chola King:
Once a
demonic king called Yavanan from Ceylon fought with chola king Dhatta, The
chola king was unable to withstand and he worshipped Swantharanayagi. She sent
Kali and Kali killed Yavana.
Daksha Yagna:
The
teeths of Surya has been broken by Veerabadra swami during Daksha yagna. Surya
did penance here and got back his teeth. Many such devas who got beatings from Veerabadhrar
during the Daksha yagna got their problems solved in this sthala.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Vagheeswarar and Mother is known as Swantharanayagi. Both Swami
and Ambal are considered to be swayambu. Ambal is very varaprasathi (fulfilling
our desires at the earliest). Theertham is Brihaspati theertham (popularly
known as Thursday Theertham). Swami will provide theertham (Theerthavari) on
Margazhi Thursdays. This is a parihara sthala for ‘Guru Dhosha’. A Mariamman
temple is inside this village. She is very attractive and full of Shantha and
Karunya. Her temple has been renovated recently.
Prayers
This is
a parihara sthala for “Guru Dhosha”. Since swami provided mental relief for
Brihaspati himself, this is also a sthala to get rid of our worries.
Connectivity
The
temple is situated at about 8 kms from Mayiladuthurai. After about 7 kms in the
Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur Route, a road to the left (east) will lead to
Peruncheri. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mayiladuthurai and Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy.
