Uchiravaneswarar Temple, Thiruvilanagar – Legends
Thuraikattum Vallalar:
As per legend, Thiru Gnana Sambandar reached this
sacred land for worship of Lord Shiva. He got struck on the opposite
bank of carvery river due to the heavy floods in the river. He waited for few
days and also searched for a ferry boat to cross the flooded river. He was not
able to find anyone in helping him to cross the river. He prayed to Lord Shiva
for help. Lord Shiva in the guise of a hunter came to Sambandar and instructed
Sambandar to follow him for crossing the flooded river.
As soon as the hunter got into the water, the river
parted into both the ways leaving a space in the middle for them to walk
comfortably. Once, Sambandar reached the other bank of the river looked for the
hunter to thank him for his help but he was not to be seen. Sambandar realized
that the hunter who helped him to cross the river was none other than Lord
Shiva. As Lord Shiva helped in crossing the river, he came to be called as Thuraikattum
Vallalar (Thurai means river bank, Kaattum means to show and Vallal means
philanthropist in Tamil).
Lord Shiva helping a Brahmin to cross River Cauvery:
As per legend, a brahmin boy named Arulvithan from this
village was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to offer garlands
made of fresh flowers to Lord Shiva every day without fail. One day, as usual
he arrived on the banks of Cauvery river carrying a basket full of fresh
flowers and noticed that the river was overflowing. Knowing the dangerous
situation, he started crossing the Cauvery river without any hesitation and
headed towards the
temple. He was trapped into the strong current in the mid of the
river. He firmly placed the basket above his head and was not concerned about
his life. He worried only about the flowers meant for the worship of Lord
Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva rescued him from the water current
and made him to reach the bank safely.
Vila Nagar:
As per legend, the
region was densely covered by the Vizhal grass in ancient times.
Hence, the
place came to be called as Vizhal
Nagar which later got changed as Vila
Nagar and Lord Shiva came to be called as Vizharkattu Nathar.
Kapithan got relief from
Brahmahatya dosham here:
As per legend, a king named Kapithan worshipped Lord
Shiva here and got relieved from Brahmahatya dosham.