Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple, Tiruvelvikudi – Legends
Thiruvelvikudi:
Once, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi were playing the game
of dice in Kailash. Lord Shiva purposely made goddess Parvathy to win
each game. Overwhelmed with the joy, she become arrogant and had excessive
pride in her success. On seeing her arrogance, Lord Shiva cursed to be born as
a cow on earth. She was born as a cow in Therazhundur and Lord Vishnu
became her cowherd. She in the form of cow worshipped Lord Shiva at Thirukozhambam. She hit the Shiva Linga mistakenly and its hoof mark
can be seen on the Linga at Thirukozhambam.
Goddess Parvathy in the form of cow came to Thiruvaduthurai and worshipped
Lord Shiva for relief. Pleased with her worship, Lord Shiva restored her back
to original form. Goddess Parvathy also wanted to marry Lord Shiva in an
earthly marriage with all religious rites on the earth. At the same time, Sage
Bharatha performed Putra Kameshti Yagna at Thiruthuruthi for child boon.
In order to fulfill her wish, Lord Shiva made goddess Parvathy to appear in the
form of child from the Yagna Kunda. Sage Bharatha raised her as his own
daughter.
When she attained the marriageable age, the sage was
worried about finding a suitable groom for her. Sage Bharatha prayed to Lord
Shiva in finding a suitable groom for her. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and
assured him that he would marry her and also revealed to the sage that she is
none other than Goddess Parvathy. Sage Bharatha was overwhelmed with joy and
made the arrangements for the divine marriage. Sage Bharatha received his son
in law at Ethirkolpadi. The Yagna (Velvi) for the wedding ceremony was held at
this place. As the Velvi was held at this place, the place came to
be called as Thiruvelvikudi.
Lord Brahma is believed to have performed the rituals of
the divine marriage. Lord Shiva tied the Ganganatharanam on the left hand to
Goddess Parvathi. Hence, this place came to be called
as Gouthugabandhana Kshetram. It is believed that Goddess Parvathy have taken a holy
bath in the theertham of this temple prior to her
wedding. Hence, the tank came to be called as Gouthugabandhana Theertham. The
earthly marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy took place in Thiruvelvikudi. The divine couple came after their wedding to Thirumanancheri and granted their wedding darshan to everyone at Thirumanancheri.
Kalyana Sundareswarar:
Once, a prince was engaged to a princess here, but her
parents died just before the marriage. Her relatives cancelled the marriage.
The prince prayed to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva sent a Bhoodagana, brought
the princess and solemnized their wedding at this temple. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kalyana
Sundareswarar.
Birthplace of Ardhanareeswarar cult:
It is believed that Tiruvelvikudi was the place
where Lord Shiva offered half of himself to goddess Parvathi and took the
form of Ardhanareeswarar. Thus, Tiruvelvikudi is considered as
the birthplace of the Ardhanareeswarar cult.
Sundarar got cured of his disease here:
As per legend, Saint Sundarar was afflicted with an
incurable disease. He came here, took bath in Agni theertham and got his
disease cured.
Sage Agastya worshipped
Lord Shiva here to get relief from the sin of killing Vatapi:
As per legend, Sage Agastya was afflicted with the sin
of killing the demon Vatapi. He came here, worshipped Lord Shiva and got
relieved from the sin.
