Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan
Incident
Another incident in regard to this Mandakapadi is of
particular interest. As this annual festival was continued for years, Kattabomman
Nayakkar, the powerful Poligar of Panjalamkurichi, also a great devotee of the
lord of Thiruchendur, built another mantapa here, and made arrangements to take
the Lord directly to his mantapa on the 7th day instead of as usual into the
Pillayyan's mantapa. Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan, knowing the power of the Poligar,
dared not go against his wishes.
All arrangements were made and the Lord's procession was
started from the temple. But to the surprise of all, a cyclonic wind started
all of a sudden and the bearers of the palanquin were tossed from place to
place by the wind and shower of sand.
When at last they rested with the passing of the cyclone
they and the God found themselves in Pillayyan's mantapa. Kattabomman came to
his senses and blamed his own indiscreetness. He called for Pillaiyan and offered
his respects to him as a true bhakta. The event is perpetuated in verse by a
poet of 150 years ago.