Veeratteswarar Temple, Korukkai – Legends
Kama Dahana Murthy:
As per legend, Taraka, a powerful asura, performed
intense penance on Lord Brahma and obtained a clever boon that he could be
defeated only by the son of Lord Shiva, but Lord Shiva turned to ascetic
ways after the death of his first wife, Sati, far from any thoughts of
marriage. After obtaining the boon, Taraka showed his true colors and started
terrorizing the universe. He repeatedly defeated the gods until heaven was on
the verge of collapse.
The devas and sages approached Lord Brahma for a
solution. Lord Brahma informed them about the boon that Taraka could be killed
only by the son of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was under deep meditation in Korukkai. Nobody
dare to disturb his penance. So, the Devas instructed Manmadha, the god of
love, to make Lord Shiva to fall in love again. He came here along with his
wife Rati and shot his love-arrows at Shiva.
Disturbed by the actions of Manmatha, Lord Shiva opened
his third eye and burnt him with the fire sparks from his third eye in his
forehead. Rati fell at the feet of Lord Shiva and begged for her husband’s
life. For the sake of Rati, Lord Shiva is said to have brought him back to
life in flesh and blood form and in a formless state for others. Lord Shiva is
referred to as Kama Dahana Murthy / Kama Anga Naasan. The marks made by
the love arrows can be still seen on the Lingam.
However, Lord Shiva wounded by the love arrows of
Manmatha, Lord Shiva got attracted towards Parvati, the reincarnation of Sati.
Lord Kartikeya was born out of this reunion. Subsequently Lord Kartikeya vanquished
Taraka. Lord Vishnu was grief stricken when Manmathan was killed by Lord Shiva
as Manmathan is said to have been created by Lord Vishnu. Hence, Lord Vishnu in
this
temple came to be called as Soha Hareswarar (Soha means sorrow).
Kurungai Munivar:
As per legend, a sage called Theerthavahu used to
visit Shiva temples, perform ablutions to the Shiva Linga with Ganga waters
through his divine powers and offer his worship to Lord Shiva. When he reached this
temple, unaware of the divinity of the Soola Theertham, he stretched out
his hands as usual towards the heavens to receive the Ganga waters.
But his arms got shrunk and could not offer the Ganga
water to Lord Shiva. He prayed to Lord Vinayaga and Lord Shiva who then
restored his arms back to the original form. Thus, the sage Theerthavahu came
to be called as Kurungai Munivar (Kurungai means short hand) and the
place came to be called as Kurungai.
Later, Kurungai
got corrupted to Kurukkai
/ Korukkai. Sculpture of Kurungai Munivar can be seen in Kurungai Vinayagar
shrine.
Yogeeswarar:
As per legend, Lord Shiva decided to meditate under the
Kadukkai tree here after destroying the Yagna of Daksha. Hence, Lord Shiva came
to be called as Yogeeswarar. It is said that the tears of joy from the eyes of Lord
Shiva while he was in meditation merged with the Pazhavaru (Gnana Theertham)
flowing on the northern side of the village.
Other Names:
Korukkai
was also called as Kaduvanam, Thirukkurukkai, Yogeesapuram, Kaamathakanapuram
and Kampakaapuram.
People worshipped Lord
Shiva here:
It is believed that Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi,
Murugan, Kurungai Munivar, Devas, Manmathan and Rati had worshipped Lord Shiva
here.