Thirumanicherai Udayar Temple, Periyamalai, Injimedu –
Legends
Thazampoo, as Sthala Vriksham here:
Once on
an ego battle between Brahma and Vishnu, they set off to reach the top and
bottom of Shiva as a competition. During that time Thazhambu gave a false
witness to Shiva that Brahma had reached the top of Shiva. Knowing this, Shiva
cursed Thazampoo that it should not be used in any Shiva pooja. In order to get
rid of the curse, it stands here as the Sthala Vriksham. Nandhi’s footsteps are
seen here.
Divine Wedding of Lord Shiva & Parvathy:
Mythology
has it that the wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvathi was performed at Mount
Kailash, the eternal and ethereal abode of Lord Shiva. All the Devas, Rishis,
Saints, along with Lord Vishnu, Brahma and their consorts assembled to witness
the marriage. The northern part Himalayan Mountain sunk in whereas the Southern
part has gone up. So to make it balance, as desired by Lord Shiva, Agastya
Rishi stood on top of the Mount and hence the Mount sub-merged into the earth.
Rishi Agastya witnessed the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvathi from the top
of this Mount. Therefore the prayers of the devotees for their marriages are
getting fulfilled.
Navapashana Lingam:
Later, a
sage performed penance on Lord Shiva here. When he was deep in his
meditation, an elephant brought water from the spring, spilled on the
sage. Yet he was motionless deep in his penance. The animal tried to reach
the sage but was stopped by a fire circle around the sage. Pleased with the
determined concentration of the sage, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked
what he wanted. The sage prayed that the Lord should stay here and grace
people. Lord Shiva obliged. The sage made the Navapashana Linga and
installed it in Injimedu.
Nandi became Vahana of Shiva:
Nandi,
son of saint Siladara performed penance seeking blessings and acceptance of
Lord Shiva. It is from this Holy Hill Periya Malai that Lord Shiva blessed
Nandi to be his Vehicle, for the first time. Since then, this hill is venerated
and worshipped by the Saints and Devatas as a sacred place.
Nandipuravinnagaram:
Worshipping
Lord Nandeeshwara of this temple is regarded as very sacred as he grants the
prayers. The village was called “Nandipuravinnagaram” (Sky high village,
Nandipuram) as Periyamalai was very tall once upon a time.
Sacred place for performing Srardha:
The
place is considered sacred for performing Srardha (an annual remembrance
ceremony for the departed ancestors). Sage Silathiar had the boon
from Lord Shiva to reach Kailash in his own human body. Devarishi Naradha
met him on the way and told him that his ancestors were wandering here and
there in space for food and water, without Shrardha offers. Silathiar
immediately picked up the Ilanji grass (Darba grass) and gave Shrardha offer to
his ancestors. In the days that followed, the place became to be known as
Injimedu. Since then the practice of offering shrardhas to departed
elders began here.