Metraleeswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram – Legends
Odha
Urugeeswarar:
As per legend, Once, Lord Vishnu reclining in Milk Ocean
had a desire to have the form of Shiva Linga. He approached Lord Shiva for the
purpose. Lord Shiva pleaded inability. But Lord Vishnu did not give in and
began penance on Lord Shiva. Surprised at his determination, Lord Shiva
told Vishnu that he could have his wish by performing penance at this
place on his Swayambhu facing west. Further, Lord Shiva informed Lord
Vishnu that he had to continue his penance till Sambandar visits the
place and sings praise of him.
Lord Vishnu came to this
place, began penance facing east in a standing form after a bath
in Vegavathi River. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar visited Mettraliyur
and saw Lord Vishnu standing in penance. The saint thought it was Lord Shiva as
he was at the back. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar began singing in praise of the
Lord. Lord Vishnu in penance was moved by the divine melody and began to melt. Lord
Vishnu attained the Linga form due to the melting, but his feet remained.
As Lord Vishnu began to melt at the singing of the
saint, Lord Shiva came to be called as Odha Urugeeswarar (Odha-singing, Urugu-melting,
Easwarar-Lord Shiva). The deity at the Urugeeswarar
temple was thus originally Vishnu, who was mesmerized by the devotion
of Sambandar and changed to Lord Shiva. Both the Shiva Linga and holy feet of
Lord Vishnu can be seen in the Odha
Urugeeswarar Shrine.
Metrali
Nathar:
As per legend, Originally, Lord Shiva was facing east in
this temple. On hearing the hymns of Thirugnana Sambandar praising Odha
Urugeeswarar, Lord Shiva turned west to listen to the songs of Thirugnana
Sambandar. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Metrali Nathar (Merku – west,
Thali – temple and Nathar – Lord Shiva) and the place came to be called as Thirumetrali.
Utru
Ketta Muktheeswarar:
Saint Thirugnana Sambanthar was singing songs in praise
of Thirumetralinaadhar outside the
temple. Lord wanted to hear out the song distinctly, came a little forward
from the
place he occupied in the
temple and enjoyed hearing the song being sung by saint
Thirugnanasambanthar. He transformed himself in to a Linga. Hence, he came to
be called as Utru
Ketta Muktheeswarar. Strangely, the hymns of Sambandar on Lord Shiva of Metraleeswarar
temple are not yet found. This
temple is situated between Metraleeswarar
temple and Thirugnana
Sambandar temple.
Thirugnana
Sambandar Temple:
It is believed that Saint Thirugnana Sambandar, sang his
hymns in praise of Lord Shiva in Thirumetralinaadhar
Temple from the end of the street has his
shrine there itself. Strangely, the hymns of Sambandar on Lord Shiva of Metraleeswarar
temple are not yet found.
Pillayar
Palayam:
As the saint is also known as Aludaipillayar and Sambanda
Pillayar, the place came to be called as Pillayar Palayam. The place is also called
as Pachimalayam.
Budha
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Budha, one of the Navagrahas,
worshipped Lord Shiva here.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
100 Rudras, Sikandar, Veerabhadra, Krodha and
Mandalathipathis, all totalling 116, had worshipped Lord Shiva in this
temple.