Kayarohanaswami Temple, Nagapattinam – The Temple
According
to Legend, Emperor Muchukunda got seven Lingas from Indira for the helps he had
rendered him. These Lingas were small – Vidanga in size. The Emperor
installed the Linga in Seven Places called Saptha Vidanga sthalas. This is
one such Sthalas with a Linga so beautiful made of Ruby. Hence, the Lord is
named Sundara (beautiful) Vidangar. Lord Thyagaraja is in a separate
shrine right of the sanctum sanctorum.
In majority of the temple, people
can see only the face of Lord Thyagaraja. During the Vaikasi Visaka and
Margazhi Tiruvadirai festivals, Lord is dressed (Alankara) showing his right
hand and feet. Lord comes in procession waving his hands to and fro and in
a dancing form. This dance is called Paara Vaara Nadanam.
The eyes
of Mother Ambica are blue in colour as sea showing her mercy as vast and deep
as sea. Hence, named Neelayadakshi-blue eyed. She is also
Karundhadanganni. She has her own shrine with a flag post-Kodi Maram. Ambica
graces as a virgin. Aadi Pooram is very grandly celebrated in the
temple. Her shrine is designed as a Rath. On the festival day, Mother
comes in procession in a Rath made purely in crockery ware.
As
Ambica is a virgin, Lord sent Nandhi Deva to be her guard. But Nandhi expressed
his wish to be with Lord for ever seeing him. Lord said that he can have his
darshan though with Ambica. Nandhi in the temple is seen with its neck
turned towards Lord with one eye on Ambica and other on the Lord. Hence,
the Nandhi is known as Twin View Nandhi (Irattai Parvai in
Tamil). Those having vision problems pray to this Nandhi.
Lord
Vinayaka graces his darshan wearing a serpent around his body with another one
another one above his head as an umbrella. He is worshipped as Nagabarana
Vinayaka. Those facing adverse serpent planet effects perform milk
abishek to Nagabarana Vinayaka at Rahu Kalam times. Also during the
transit of these planets in the zodiac circle, special pujas are performed here
to please the planets.
Lord
Bhairava, usually appearing with his dog vehicle, has Lion – Simha as his vahanam. When
Sage Pundarika worshipped Lord Shiva here, Holy Ganga sprang up in this place
along with Lord Bhairava. He is gracing as Kala Samhara Bhairava in this
temple. The Simha vahanam is behind him.
It is believed that Lord Shiva himself
is gracing the devotees who hit Yama the God of Death. As Lord Kala
Bhairava is facing south, devotees pray to him for longevity. As he looks
furious, two smiling Vinayakas are installed before him.
There is
a shrine for Mother Ashta Bhuja (eight hands) Kali in the temple. The deities
for the eight directions have their due place in the temple. Mother Gajalakshmi
in her sitting form graces the devotees with two elephants offering
abishek. Lord Dakshinamurthi is in the ghoshta wall with his four
disciples. As the temple is on a sea shore, it is said that Lord Shiva is
ruling the region as a king, hence the name Shiva Rajadhani capital
of Shiva Kingdom.
Behind
the Linga in the sanctum sanctorum is the Somaskanda form of Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva comes to the sea for a bath on the Masi Magam day in
February - March. The idol of Lord Muruga is made with 12 hands with
weapons. He is praised in the Thirupugazh hymns of saint Arunagirinathar. The
Zodiac circle is in the Mandap. People pray from here for relief
from planetary problems.
The
event of sage Pundarika entering the shrine of Lord Shiva and merging with him
is celebrated during the Arthajama Puja (the last puja of the day) on the
Ayilyam star day in the month of Aani-June-July. Sri Chandikeswara
shrine is on the side of prakara. Lord Shiva as a Swayambumurthy appears very
handsome. The fruits of the Mango tree taste citric, sweet and
bitter. Viewing the tree from the southeast prakara, it looks like a
Nandhi.
The
Vidangar in this temple is the Sundara Vidangar and the Abhishekam is performed
at 9 AM and 8 PM every day. However, this one is not one of the original
lingams, which was stolen ages ago, and recently replaced by a Gomedakam
lingam.
