Kandaswamy Temple, Thiruporur
– Legends
Sri Chidambara
Swamigal:
Sri Chidambara Swamigal, the founding guru of Thiruporur
Adheenam was an ardent devotee of Madurai
Meenakshi Amman. Once, he performed penance on Meenakshi Amman without
consuming food for her darshan. He continued his penance for several days and
his health got deteriorated. Pleased with his penance, Goddess Meenakshi
appeared in his dreams. Also, he heard the sound of the anklets of her. When he
opened his eyes, he got a divine view of her feet.
Then, Goddess raised Sri Chidambara Swamigal to his feet
and as her hands touched him, his skin turned golden. She instructed him to
build a temple for Lord Murugan in Thiruporur
as six earlier attempts to build the
temple had failed. As instructed, Sri Chidambara Swamigal went to Thiruporur
and found the area was a dense forest abounded with palm trees. He searched for
an idol of Muruga, but his efforts were in vain. Even, he could not find any
evidence of any previous attempts to build the
temple.
When he failed to locate the site, Lord Muruga himself
appeared in the form of a small boy showed him the location. Chidambara Swamigal
unearthed the Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested idols) of Lord Muruga with his
consorts and established the temple. There is a separate shrine dedicated to
him in the
temple and he is given special respect during the Vaikasi Visakam festival.
During the last event of the festival, he is depicted merging with the
presiding deity.
Arcot
Nawab daughter got cure from her stomach pain:
Thiruporur
was under the control of Arcot Nawab during 17th century CE. His daughter
was suffering from severe stomach pain. Even, his royal physicians could not
able to treat her. His minister suggested that the ruler should seek the
blessings of the Sri Chidambaram Swamigal of Thiruporur
for relief. As all his efforts failed to cure his daughter made the Muslim
ruler to prostrate before Chidambaram Swamigal along with his daughter for
relief. When Sri Chidambara Swamigal applied the sacred ash to his daughter’s
body, she was cured instantly.
Thiruporur:
As per legend, Lord Murugan waged the war
against the demons in three places namely Thiruchendur,
Thiruparankundram
and Thiruporur.
Lord Murugan fought with demons in sea at Thiruchendur,
in land at Thiruparankundram and
in air at Thiruporur.
It is believed that Lord Muruga fought with Tharakasura in this
place and slayed him. Hence, the
place came to be called as Porur
/ Poriyur (Por means war in Tamil). The
place also called as Tharukapuri, Yuddhapuri and Samarapuri.
Pranava
Malai:
As per legend, Lord Murugan along with his consorts
Valli & Devasena granted protection to Devas and taught them the meaning of
Pranava here. It is also believed that Lord Murugan taught the meaning of
Pranava to Sage Agastya during his visit here while he was on his way to Podhigai hills.
It is said that the concept of Pranava is born here. Hence, the hill behind the
temple came to be called as Pranava Malai.
Lord
Vishnu and Lakshmi got relief from the curse of Kanva Rishi:
Once, Kanva Rishi cursed Lord Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi.
Lord Vishnu along with his consort Lakshmi worshipped Vanmeeganathar in this
temple. Lord Shiva appeared before them and liberated them from their
curse.
Vanmeeganathar:
As per legend, Lord Murugan worshipped Vanmeeganathar to
get rid of the sin of having killed Surapadman.
Valliyar
Odai / Shanmuga Theertham:
As per legend, Valliyar Odai (Shanmuga Theertham) was formed when
the spear of Lord Murugan pierced the earth and water came gushing out.