Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Dakshinamurthy Temple (Guru Temple), Govindavadi – Legends

Dakshinamurthy Temple (Guru Temple), Govindavadi – Legends
Vishnu repaired his discus with the blessings of Shiva:
While on a war to protect his devotee, Lord Vishnu’s discuss slipped down and fell on Maharshi Thatheesi and lost its sharpness. Lord was discussing with Devas how to get back the discus with its full power. He came to the conclusion that the weapon could be repaired and got back with the blessings of Lord Shiva. For Shiva worship, initiation is necessary by a learned Guru.
Shiva as Guru to Lord Vishnu:
Lord Vishnu came here with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, had a bath in a holy spring here and began penance. Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu, taught Shiva Mantras and initiated for the pujas. Lord Shiva also told his disciple to worship him with 1000 flowers in the place nearby called Tirumalpur in his Linga form and assured that the discuss would come back to him fully powered at an appropriate time. Lord Vishnu, after the Shiva worship, got back his discus. As Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu as Guru, he is worshipped here as Lord Dakshinamurthy.
Viboothi Kavadi:
Legend has it that Lord Dakshinamoorthy is said to have appeared before one of his ardent devotees, Thandavarayar, a resident of Govindavadi and bestowed on him his grace and the `scared ash.' Thandavarayar established a religious math at Govindavadi and observed Visaka nakshatram in the Tamil month of Chithirai as Guru Puja day by taking out Viboothi Kavadi from his math and performing special pujas to Dakshinamoorthy. This practice is continued by his descendants.
Etymology:
Govindaraja perumal stayed at Govindavadi with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, worshipped Shiva daily at Tirumalper after taking bath at Palar. Since Govindaraja Perumal stayed, the place is called Govindavadi.