Sayavanam Chayavaneswarar Temple – Legends
Lord Vishnu worshipped Shiva here:
Lord Vishnu worshipped Shiva to acquire the famous conch, Panchajanyam. There
is a famous temple, Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam, a Divyadesam, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the same village.
Lord Shiva Thiruvilayadal with Iyarpagayar:
Lord
Shiva once came to Iyarpagayar in the guise of a Shiva devotee and demanded his
wife to be sent with him. Without any hesitation, the devotee offered him his
wife. The wife also did not disobey the husband nor opposed his decision. The
Lord said that his relatives or others can intercept and attack him on the way
and therefore, he should escort him until he crossed the borders of the place.
Iyarpagayar obliged and escorted the Lord with a sword on hand.
The
devotee defeated those who came to oppose. Reaching the border, the devotee was
asked to return as the danger was over. While turning to go back, Iyarpagayar
saw the Lord with Parvathi asking him to go back with his wife, live happily
for years and come back to him at the end of his life. It is in this holy soil,
Chayavanam, the miracle took place.
Indra tried to pull this Temple to Indraloka:
Athithi,
mother of Indira was harbouring a desire to come to earth and worship
Chayavaneswarar. Therefore, she landed on the earth. Indira was searching for
the missing mother and found that she had come to earth. To fulfill the desire
of the mother, Indira wanted to take the temple to his place pulling it through
his white elephant Iravadham. While he made the attempt, Mother Parvathi made a
sound that was sweeter than that of a nightingale. She came to be known as
Kuyilinum Inia Mozhiyal. Lord Shiva also appeared before Indira and told
him to drop the idea of taking the temple to his place and advised him to do
the worship on Earth itself and be blessed.
Murugan with Bow & Arrow and Veeragandamani:
Also it
is here, that Lord Muruga holds the bow and the arrow instead of his usual
weapon Velayudham, readying for the war against Soorapadman. It is also said
that the idol of Lord Muruga was found in the sea and taken from there to the
temple. Muruga also wears the Veeragandamani (anklet) in his right leg,
presented by Father Lord Shiva. Those who have fear of enemies, worship this
Muruga for freedom from enemy fear. While Mother Shakthi offered the Vel to Muruga,
the Lord gave him the Veeragandamani. Those who come and worship here sum up
all courage to advance in life.