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.
