Ammai Nathar Temple, Cheranmahadevi – Legends
Legend of Nandanar:
The
popular legend of Nandanar, the great devotee of Lord Shiva, is associated with
this temple too. Nandanar was born in a Dalit family sometime between 7th
and 9th century CE. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. In those
days, the people from his community were not allowed inside the temple. He used
to worship and pray standing outside the temple entrance. He visited many
sites. He also came to Cheranmahadevi and visited Ammai Nathar temple from
outside. He obviously could not see Lord Shiva. Shiva ordered his mount Nandi
to move away so that his devotee could get direct sight of him. Thus, in this
temple, Nandi is found slightly moved away from the center.
Builder of this Temple:
The
temple, which is believed to be around 1100 years, was originally built by two
poor farmer ladies. Both the ladies were labourers and they used to collect
rice daily and offer it to Shiva Linga idol in this site. They were worried
that the idol did not have a temple. Lord Shiva made them very rich. Both of
them used their wealth to build this massive temple. Later, this temple was
renovated by Kulothunga Chola I.
Nava Kailasam:
Romasa
Maharishi was one of the disciples of Sage Agasthiar. He is the grandson of
Lord Brahma, the Creator. He decided to go for penance in order to get
Liberation. So he went to his Guru Agasthiar and told him about his wish and
asked him, how to do the tapas (means penance). His Guru Agasthiar advised him
to pluck nine flowers and makes them to float on River Tamirabarani so that
each flower will get dock at various places.
He
advised him to install Shiva Linga on those places and asked him to worship
there to get liberation. As said by Sage Agasthiyar Romasa Maharishi did the same.
The first flower docks at Papanasam. Second flower at Cheranmahadevi, third at
Kodakanallur, fourth flower at Kunnathur (Sangani), fifth flower at
Murappanadu, sixth at Sri Vaikundam, seventh flower at Then Thirupperai, eighth
flower at Raajapathi and the last one ninth flower at Poomangalam.
So
Romasa Maharishi built temples on those places and worshipped and in due course
attained mukthi. The speciality of these temples at each of these Navakailasam
temples is considered as an abode of one of the Navagrahams. So making a
pilgrimage trip to all the nine temples in shot will have the same effect of
what you will get on worshipping at Navagraha Temples.