Thiruvilanji Kumarar Temple, Ilanji – Legends
Divine wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi:
To
attend the divine wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, sages and others
went to Mount Kailash in north. The earth went down due to
the collective weight of the attendees. Sage Agasthya was asked by Lord
Shiva to go south to balance the ground level. But he had to miss the
wedding darshan. Lord promised the sage to grant him not only the wedding
darshan but also of his dance darshan. Agasthya came to Kuttralam to
worship Lord for the darshan boon.
He found
a Vishnu temple in the shape of a conch and was denied entrance into the
temple. The sage came to Ilanji and prayed to Kumara-Muruga to help him in
getting the darshan. As suggested by Kumara, Sage Agasthiyar made two
lingams out of white sand available in the region, which was then converted
into one.
Agasthya
performed his worship to Linga. This white Linga is praised as Iruvaluka
Nayaka, meaning ‘made by respected Sage Agasthya’. The sage then came back to
Kuttralam in the guise of a Vaishnava and made Lord Vishnu as Lord Shiva. Thus
Ilanji Kumara helped the sage to have the darshan of Lord Shiva. Lord
Vinayaka in the temple is praised as Shenbaga Vinayaka.
Muruga appeared as Shiva, Vishnu & Brahma to the
Sages:
Three
great sages Kashyapa son of Lord Brahmma, Kabila with the attributes of Lord
Vishnu and Durvasa with the attributes of Lord Parameswara met at Thiri
Koodachala and discussed some great philosophies to decide what ultimate
reality was. Kabila insisted that Lord Vishnu was the ultimate
reality while Kashyapa and Durvasa insisted that it was Brahmma and Rudra
respectively. Sage Durvasa approached Lord Muruga for a final verdict on
the issue.
Lord
Muruga appeared before them as an alluring youth and said, “I alone create as
Brahmma, protect as Vishnu and destroy as Shiva.” He appeared before
them as Lords Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva and said that he decided the past,
present and the future. The sages prayed that he should stay in this place
and impart wisdom to devotees. Granting their wish Lord Muruga chose this
place and is blessing devotees.
Indra worshipped here:
Indira
the king of Devas worshipped here.