Ukthavedeeswarar Temple, Kuthalam – Legends
Kuthalam:
As per legend, Sage Bharatha had his hermitage at this
place. He desired to have Mother Parvathi his daughter. To realize
his wish, he performed Putra Kameshti Yagna and Mother Parvathy came out of the
Homa Gunda (fire pit) as a small child. Sage Bharatha brought her up as his own
daughter. She grew and attained marriageable age. She desired to marry Lord
Shiva. To realize her wish, she made a Shiva Linga from the sand on the banks
of river Cauvery and performed penance on Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva was pleased with her prayers, appeared before
her and agreed to her proposal. She requested Lord Shiva to approach her
parents to make the necessary arrangements. Lord Shiva sent Nandi with the marriage
proposal to Sage Bharatha, Sage Bharata readily accepted the proposal. The
marriage day was fixed for the wedding. Lord Shiva came to this
place from Kailasa
on his mount Nandi. Uddhala tree from heaven accompanied Lord Shiva in order to
provide shadow on his journey.
The betrothal ceremony of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy
happened at this
place. After the ceremony, Lord Shiva left his sandals and the
Uddhala tree in this
place, as remembrance of the ceremony. The Uddhala tree can still be
seen in the
temple and sandals wore by Lord Shiva can be seen under the tree. As
Lord Shiva left behind the Uddhala tree here, the
place came to be called as Uddhalam.
Over a period of time, it got corrupted to Kuthalam.
As Lord Shiva kept his promise that he would marry Parvati, he came to be
called as Sonnavaaru Arivaar (the one who kept his promise).
Sundarar Theertham:
Saint Sundarar married Paravai Nachiyar in Tiruvarur. Later,
he also married Sangili Nachiyar in Thiruvottriyur,
an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Sundarar promised her that he won’t leave her.
Lord Shiva was witness to the marriage and the promise. Sundarar breached
his promise and proceeded to Thiruvarur
to see Paravai Nachiyar. While he crossed the borders of Thiruvottriyur,
he lost his vision.
He understood that he was punished for violating his
promise. Realizing his mistake, he prayed to the Lord Shiva of Kanchipuram
Ekambareswarar Temple and regained a sight in one eye. Lord Shiva, then
directed him to visit Thoovanayanar
Thoovainathar Temple at Arur Paravayunmandali for regaining his
eyesight in another eye. He was very weak and suffering from some illness due
to the tedious journey from Kanchipuram
to Thiruvarur,
He visited this
temple during journey and prayed to Lord Shiva of this
temple for relief. Lord Shiva instructed him to take a dip in the
Padma Theertham and consume the leaves of Uddhala Tree. Sundarar followed the
instructions of Lord Shiva and got relief from his illness and regained his
physical fitness. Thus, Padma Theertham came to be called as Sundarar Theertham
after his holy dip. A separate shrine for Sundarar can be seen near this
theertham.
Equivalent to Kasi:
As per legend, a pious brahmin named Rudrasarma was
going to Kashi
to attain salvation. Lord Shiva wanted to test his devotion and also make him
to understand the greatness of this
place. Lord Shiva sent a Bhoodagana named Gundodhara to stop his
journey. He took the form of a snake and intercepted his journey. The pious
brahmin chanted the Garuda Mantra. The snake fell unconscious.
Lord Shiva took the form of a snake charmer and brought
back the snake to life. He realized that Lord Shiva only could break the spell
of the Garuda Mantra. He fell at the
feet of Lord Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him
and informed Rudrasarma that he would attain salvation in this
place itself. He further informed him that this
place is equivalent to Kasi.
Origin of Homam:
As per legend, Lord Agni, the god of fire, had a curse
that anything touched by him would get destroyed. He was very sad that his name
was associated only with destruction. He prayed to Lord Shiva here for relief.
Lord Shiva decreed that Agni would continue to destroy evil things and also
blessed him to be one of the prime elements, without which the universe cannot
function. He further directed that Agni would carry all the offerings made in
homams to the heaven for being presented to the Lord. Thus, the practice of
Homam originated at this
place.
Queen Komala, wife of
Vikrama Chola got cured of small pox:
As per legend, Queen Komala, wife of Vikrama Chola,
suffered from small pox. She visited this
temple and prayed to Lord Shiva. She was relieved of small pox after
her worship at this
temple.
Thunai Vandha Vinayakar:
As per legend, when Mother Parvathy took birth in this
place, Vinayaga accompanied here. Hence, Vinayaga of this
temple came to be called as Thunai Vandha Vinayakar.
Kathiramangalam:
As per legend, Lord Suryan (Kathiravan in Tamil)
worshipped Lord Shiva of this
temple. It is said that he stayed in nearby village during his
worship. Hence, the village came to be called as Kathiramangalam.
Thiru Thuruthi:
Kuthalam was called as Thiru
Thuruthi during ancient times. Thuruthi means mound or island in Tamil. The
place is located between Cauvery River and Manjalaru River like a
riverine island.
People worshipped Lord
Shiva here:
Mother Parvati, Suryan, Varuna, Agni, Manmathan, Saptharishis
(Kashyapa, Gowthama, Angira, Markandeya, Pulasthya, Vashishta, Agastya &
Bharatha), Agastya, Sundarar, Rudrasarma and Kali had worshipped Lord Shiva
here.