Friday, January 13, 2017

Semponarkoil Swarnapureeswarar Temple – Legends

Semponarkoil Swarnapureeswarar Temple – Legends
Lakshmipuri:
It is noteworthy that Sri Mahalakshmi performed penance on Lord Shiva of this temple to have the hands of Vishnu as her Lord. Hence, the place has the name Lakshmipuri.  
Indirapuri:
It is also called Indirapuri as Indira worshipped Lord Shiva here to get the weapon Vajrayudha to kill demon Vruddhasura.  
Kandapuri:
The third name of the place is Kandapuri as Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva to destroy demon Tarakasura.
Murugan in the form of Shiva advised Parvathi:
A story goes that when Lord Shiva refused to receive Mother Parvathi back after visiting her father’s Yajna against his advice, Lord Muruga came to the Mother in the form of Shiva and imparted good advices in this place. Based on this story, Lord Muruga appears in the temple with an Akshamala. Shiva appeared in this place only as Veerabadra.  
Different Names of Mother:
Mother Sugantha Kundalambika is praised by many names - Pushpalaki, Dhakshayani, Suganthalaki, Suganthavana Nayaki and Maruvar Kuzhali.  
Shiva naming Parvathi as Sugantha Kundalambikai:
Daksha, son of Brahmma gave his daughter Dhakshayani to Lord Shiva in marriage. Yet he intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva for a yajna he performed. Mother Dhakshayani wanted to correct her father by visiting the yajna. But clouded by arrogance and pride, Daksha humiliated his own daughter and her Lord. Furious Dhakshayani cursed her father that his yajna would not go on. She also begged her Lord to destroy the yajna. 
Lord Shiva created Veerabadra, Badrakali and others to destroy the yajna along with Daksha. Dhakshayani to wash off her sin as the daughter of a Shiva opponent performed penance here sitting around five types Agni-fire. Lord, pleased with her penance named her Sugantha Kundalambikai and took her to bless devotees along with him in the temple.
People worshipped Shiva here:
Agasthiar, Brahmma, Vasishta, Naga Kanyas, Ashtadikbalakas, Gubera worshipped in this place. Rathi worshipped Lord Shiva here to get back her husband Manmatha. Lord Vishnu too had worshipped Lord Shiva here.