Engan Murugan Temple – Legends
Sthala
Puranam Version – 1:
According to popular folklore, the sculptor who sculpted
the idol of Murugan in this temple was the same person who carved the sculpture
at Sikkal and Ettukudi. Upon sculpting the idol at Sikkal,
the sculptor cut his right thumb so as to ensure that he would not create
anything anywhere which would surpass the beauty of the image at Sikkal. After
sculpting the idol at Ettukudi, he, however, found the idol excelling the one
at Sikkal in beauty and hence blinded himself as punishment.
Hence while sculpting the idol of Murugan at Engan, the sculptor had to rely on
the assistance of a woman as he was blind himself. By mistake, while sculpting,
he cut a finger belonging to the woman and blood began to ooze. These
droplets of blood fell on his eyes curing him of his blindness. Once the
sculptor realized that he could now see, he exclaimed in amazement "Engan!
Engan!" meaning "My eyes" in the Tamil language.
Sthala
Puranam Version – 2:
Chola king Mutharasan, seeing the beauty of the idol of
Muruga thought there should be no such idol anywhere. So, he claimed the
right thumb of the sculptor. Yet, the sculptor made a similar beautiful idol
for the Ettukudi temple without the support of the right thumb. The
jealous king went further and plucked off the eyes of the sculptor. He came
to Sameevanam and started working on a third idol with the help of a little
girl. When the idol was nearing completion, the chisel (Uli) fell on the
girl’s eyes spilling blood on the sculptor’s eyes restoring his eye
sight. Sameevanam is now known as Enkan.
Lord
Murugan taught the meaning of Pranava to Brahmma here:
Lord Muruga demanded Lord Brahmma to explain the meaning
of Pranava Mantra. He could not. Lord Muruga put Brahmma in prison
and took up the creation job too. Though Brahmma was released later, he
could not get back his assignment. Brahmma began worshipping Lord Shiva
with his eight eyes. When Lord Shiva asked Muruga to leave the job to Brahmma,
Muruga politely refused saying that he was not qualified for the job as he did
not know the meaning of Pranava. Lord Shiva advised Muruga to teach the Mantra
to Brahmma and reinstate him in his place. Lord Muruga obeyed his Father and
taught Pranava to Brahmma. As Brahmma worshipped Lord Shiva with his eight
eyes (En Kan), the place also came to be known as
Brahmmapuram. So goes the Sthala Purana – story of the land.
Simma
Varman got relieved of his curse of Lion Face:
A king, Simma Varman by name was cursed with a Lion’s
face by Sage Brugu. For relief, the king prayed to Enkan Lord Muruga bathing in
the Vriddha Cauvery River (Vottaru). On a Thai Poosam star day
(January-February) combined with Full Moon, Lord Muruga appeared before the
king and restored his human face. This festival day is grandly celebrated in
the temple carrying Kavadi on their shoulders.