Thirumeni Azhagar Temple, Mahendrapalli – Legends
Mahendrapalli:
As per legend, Indra, the king of Devas, was enamoured
by the beauty of Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama. Indra desired to have Ahalya.
When sage Gautama went to his daily morning ritual bath, Indra in the guise of
Sage Gautama came to the hermitage and requested Ahalya for sexual intercourse.
Though, she knew it is Indra, she consents owing to her curiosity. Gautama
learnt Indra's deception through his supernatural powers and returned to the
ashram. On seeing the sage, Indra took the form of a cat and tried to flee.
The angry sage cursed Indra to bear thousand eyes on his
body. He also cursed Ahalya to become stone. Realizing her folly, Ahalya
begged for forgiveness. He assured her that her sin would be expiated when the
feet of Lord Rama touched her stone form. Lord Indra came to earth and prayed
to Lord Shiva for relief in many places and this
temple is considered as one among them. As Indira (Mahendra)
worshipped Lord Shiva here, the
place came to be called as Mahendrapalli.
Pithru Dosha Parihara
Sthalam:
As per legend, Duryodhana approached Sahadeva on the
advice of Shakuni weeks before the start of the Mahabharata war to get the
auspicious time to start the war so that the Gauravas could emerge victorious.
Sahadeva was an expert in astrology and was very honest in his profession. Duryodhana
offered to spare Sahadeva and his twin after the war and make them kings in
exchange.
Sahadeva declined his offer but informed him that
Gauravas should offer prayers and start the war in Bodhayana Amavasya for
victory despite knowing that Kauravas were their enemy. On hearing that the
information of the auspicious time was already known to Gauravas, Lord Krishna planned
to create an eclipse much before the beginning of the war. Surya & Chandra
were shocked to know about the plans of Lord Krishna and approached him that it
would create huge disruption in the entire universe.
Lord Krishna declared Earth, Moon and Sun are together
in one place, this itself was an eclipse. Then, he went on to conduct the
rituals and started the war which ended in victory to Pandavas. It is said that
Lord Krishna conducted the rituals at the banks of the Pushkarini of this
temple. Thus, this
temple is considered as Pitru Dosha Parihara Sthalam.
Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance here:
As per legend, Lord Shiva is said to have performed his
cosmic dance here to the sages, Surya, Chandra, Indra and Brahma.