Nitya Kalyani Temple, Kadayam – Legends
Kadayan Patti:
The name
Kadayam came from "Kadayan Patti". Hundreds of years ago this place
was known as “Kadayan Patti". Kadayan is the caste name of group people
was living in this area. The other community peoples are migrated later. But
nowadays there are other stories are spreads about the name Kadayam.
Dasaratha prayed for getting his progeny:
The
King Dasaratha, the father of Lord Rama, was passing through the Bilva forest
in today’s Kadayam area. He found a Swayambu Shiva Linga and prayed for getting
his progeny (as per another legend, he worshiped to get rid of his sin of
killing Shravana Kumar). This Shiva Linga was hence called as Bilva Vana
Nathar, meaning the Lord of Bilva forest. Later, his name got changed
to Vilvaranyeswarar.
Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here:
As per
Kapila Purana, Lord Rama took bath in the river and worshiped Shiva in this
site to get rid of his sin of killing Sambukasura.
Nitya Kalyani:
As per a
popular legend, Brahma performed penance towards Lord Shiva and got a divine
Bilva fruit. He broke the fruit into three pieces and installed it in three
different places, Himalayas, Meru Mountain and in Dwada Shanta Van (Kadayam). Devas
maintained this Bilva forest. Lord Shiva Linga appeared on his own (Swayambu
Linga) and Parvati worshiped him in this forest. As she appeared as Kausi to
kill the demons named Sumba and Nisumba, her complexion became darker. She
started severe penance in this forest; Brahma made her complexion as golden
color and named her as 'Nitya Kalyani'.
A Brahmin from Sringeri pacified the Goddess:
It is
said that there were many unfortunate incidents happened in those days which made
people to believe that the Goddess Nitya Kalyani was angry; they
moved away from the temple and started staying in remote places. Later, a
Brahmin from Sringeri was believed to have performed some religious rituals to
pacify the Goddess.
Nitya Kalyani angry at Villagers for pursuing material
values:
As per
another legend, the Goddess Nitya Kalyani was unhappy and angry as the
villagers were pursuing material values at the cost of performing their
religious rites. Seven priests died on seven successive days. The Goddess threw
her “kedayam”, the war shield, to a place which was 4 miles away from the
temple. The villagers migrated to the place where the weapon fell. That place
was called as “Kedayam” which later became “Kadayam”.
Goddess threw her Kadagam:
There is
also another legend which states that the Goddess was unable to bear the noise
created by the inhabitants of the village; hence, she threw her “kadagam”
(bracelet) to a faraway place and asked the villagers to migrate there. Thus
the place was called as “Kadagam” which later became “Kadayam”.
Dasaratha got relieved of his sin on killing Sravana
Maha Rishi:
Purana says King
Dasaratha was cursed by parents of Sravana maha rishi who died when
he went to fetch water for his parents, by king’s arrow. The King asked for a
remedy from their curse. Once the curse is given it cannot be withdrawn and he
can try a remedy for the sin. He was asked to clean the Vilva Vanam in
this place and erect a temple for the Swayambu Lingam and worship. The
King Dasaratha did as he was guided and he was relieved of his sin. Sravana
maharishi sculpture can be seen in the temple attesting this story.
People worshipped here:
Maha
Kavi Bharathi was blessed by Sri Nithya Kalyani Amman. King Dasaratha,
Sri Harichandra, Sri Ramachandra moorthy, Sravana Maharishi, Agasthiyar with Lopamudra,
worshipped Lord Siva of this place.