Andankoil Swarnapureewarar Temple, Valangaiman –
Legends
Story
behind the name Andavankoil:
It was the time when emperor Muchukunda was building a
temple for Lord Thyagaraja in Tiruvarur. His minister Kandadevar went to the
foot hills to get stones. It became dark then. He would not have his
dinner without Shiva darshan. So he simply sat on the side path to relax
and slept. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and said that he was near the
Vanni tree there and advised him to have the darshan and have his food. The
minister found a Shivalinga near the Vanni tree.
Immediately, he began to collect one stone and one spoon
(Karandi in Tamil) lime (cement) from each cart going to Tiruvarur and built
this temple. Later, the minister told the story to the king and requested him
to pay a visit to his temple. After seeing the temple, the king demanded
the minister to pay him the cost incurred and also the Dharma he earned in building
he temple back to him. The minister replied that he could not part with
the dharma he had earned in building the temple though willing to give his
life.
The king said that the temple was built with funds
stolen from him and ordered his men to behead the minister in front of the
temple itself. Muchukunda’s men executed the order. While falling, the head
cried ‘Andava’ – My Lord. The king realized that he had killed a true
Shiva devotee and wanted to pay for his sin by stabbing himself. Lord
appeared before him saying that king and minister should be like husband and
wife and restored the minister to life back. Hence, the place is named
Andavankoil.
Sage
Kashyapa worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sage Kashyapa had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.
