Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Mayiladuthurai
– Legends
Once, Lord Shiva decided to
visit Mayiladuthurai along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Nandi (Rishaba),
mount of Lord Shiva, in an arrogant display of high speed rushed a long way ahead
leaving behind Garuda and Anna Vahana. Also,
he felt proud that he was above all as
he was carrying Lord Shiva on his back. The Lord coming to know of it, wanted
to teach him a lesson. He just placed a strand from the matted hair of his head
on Rishaba.
Unable to bear its weight, Rishaba felt crushed and
immediately realized his mistake. He prostrated before the Lord Shiva and
sought his pardon. Lord Shiva not only pardoned him but also initiated him into
the mysterious divine wisdom. Hence, when the Lord Shiva took the form of Guru
Bhagawan, Rishaba was permitted to serve as his mount. The Lord made Nandi to stay
at Mayiladuthurai, in the middle of the Cauvery.
He also directed that Ganga and other rivers should
flow into Cauvery on New moon day in the Tamil month of Aipasi. Hence, the
river at this particular place spot
came to be known as Rishaba Theertham. It is also called as Thula Ghat, where devotees flock in
large numbers to take their holy bath and perform darpan to their deceased
ancestors in the month of Aippasi (i.e. October-November).
It is popularly said that
a pot of water taken from this Theertham on this auspicious day can be
preserved for any number of years without the water getting spoiled. Thousands
of orthodox Hindus take their bath at this Rishaba Theertham during Thula Masam
and also on the first day of Karthigai month.
Nandhi praise on Lord Dakshinamurthy:
Nandhi, the bull vehicle of Lord
Shiva had sung 8 verses in praise of Lord Dakshinamurthy. These verses are recommended
to devotees for prayer and chanting to get relief from arrogant qualities and
to attain wisdom.
Planet Jupiter worshipped Lord Dakshinamurthy:
As per legend, Planet Jupiter
worshipped Lord Dakshinamurthy to attain the power of granting boons to those
worshipping him.
Chamundi worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Chamundi, one of the Saptha Matrikas
worshipped Lord Shiva in this
temple seeking relief from the dosha of killing demon Mahishasura.
Sage Kanva worshipped Dakshinamoorthy here:
It is also believed that Sage
Kanva prayed here for getting relief for his adopted daughter Shakuntala from
Guru Dosham.
Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here:
As per legend, Lord Vishnu
prayed here to obtain relief from the sin on killing the wife of Brihu
Maharishi,
Lord Brahma got back his power of creation here:
It is believed that Lord Brahma
prayed here for getting back his power of creation.
