Gnanapureeswarar Temple,
Thiruvadisoolam – Legends
Thiru
Idai Churam:
As per legend, Goddess Parvathi took birth as cow in
earth and living in the herd in this
village. The cowherd took his cows for grazing in the nearby Vilwa forest.
One day, he noticed one of his cows was pouring its milk at a particular place
every day. Intrigued by the act of the cow, he informed the villagers and
cleared the area where the cow was pouring the milk with the help of villagers.
They found a Maragatha Linga at the
place. As Mother Parvathy worshipped Lord Shiva in the guise of cow, Mother
came to be called as Govardhanambikai (Go means cow
in Tamil). As the cow poured milk by itself on Lord Shiva, the place came to be
called as Thiru
Idai Churam.
Idaichuranathar:
Once, Thirugnana Sambandar was on his pilgrimage to Thirukazhukundram
Temple and decided to take rest here under a tree. He was thirsty. Lord
Shiva in the guise of cowherd (Idaiyan) came to him and offered buttermilk to
quench his thirst. The cowherd enquired about Sambandar and the saint informed
him that he was on pilgrimage to Shiva Temples. The cowherd informed him about a
temple nearby and insisted him to visit.
Unable to refuse his request, Sambandar followed him to the
temple. The cowherd stopped near the temple tank and vanished into the
sanctum. Sambandar realised that the cowherd was none other Lord Shiva himself.
He called Lord Shiva as Idaichuranathar in his hymn. Idai means came and left
midway in Tamil. The pond from where Lord Shiva disappeared came to be called
as Katchi Kulam. The pond is still can be seen here.
Mother
Parvathy with back foot posture:
Once, Lord Shiva set out to help the tired Thirugnana
Sambandar, Mother Parvathy also joined him. Lord Shiva asked her to stay back as
Thirugnana Sambandar would recognize her as she fed him. As Lord Shiva asked
Mother Parvathy to stay back, she is seen with backfoot posture in her shrine. Those
with disfigured legs pray to Mother Parvathy for relief.
Idai
Churam:
As the
place is surrounded by hills, the place came to be called as Idai
Churam (Churam means place of hills and forests).
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Sage Gowthama and Sanath Kumarar had
worshipped Lord Shiva here.
