Thiruthalinathar Temple, Thiruputhur – Legends
Snakes Vasuki and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here:
According
to the legend, the prominent snakes Vasuki and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here and hence
the separate shrine for Tirunageswarar in the outer 3rd prakaram
(outer courtyard).
Pranavam manifested as Kondrai Maram:
The
concept of Pranavam is said to have realized that Shiva & Pranavam were one
and the same here, & is said to have manifested itself as the Kondrai
Maram.
Mahalakshmi wish to visualize Shiva’s Cosmic Dance:
The
legend has it that, Goddess Mahalakshmi once wished to have a darshan of Lord Shiva's
dance. Lord Shiva conceded to her request and told her that she can have a
vision of his dance at this sthalam. Accordingly, Shiva is said to have
revealed a vision of his Cosmic Dance known as Gowri Thandavam to Goddess
Mahalakshmi here.
Lord Shiva granting darshan to Sage Valmiki:
Sage
Valmiki, to correct himself from the cruel activities as robbery and murder he
was indulging in earlier performed penance here dense with Kondrai trees.
As he was in penance for too long a time, he was covered by an
ant-hill-Vanmeekam in Sanskrit and Puttru in Tamil.
Pleased
with his penance, Lord Shiva granted darshan to the sage. As Lord granted
darshan near the Puttru, He is praised as Puttreeswarar. The temple is
built on this Darshan story. The place also is named Puthur with the
auspicious prefix Tiru – Tiruputhur. Kings built the temple later.
People who worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Agasthyar,
Valmiki, Jayandhan the son of Devendran are said to have worshipped here.