Neeneri Nathar Temple, Thandalachery – Legends
Arival
Thaya Nayanar:
There was a village named Kannamangalam 2 km north of
Thandalachery. This place is now called Kannandangudi, praised as the
prosperity capital of the Chola kingdom. This also has the honour of the
birth place of Thayanar of Velalar-farmers community. He was very kind to all
Shiva devotees. It was his mission to offer Samba rice (a rich variety of rice)
with Palak-Keerai in Tamil and mango pickles as Nivedhana to Lord every day. Though
he had contributed for many renovations in the temple, in his opinion this
Nivedhana occupied all priority. His wife also joined Nayanar in the worship.
Poverty entered his life. That could not dishearten him.
Poverty entered his life. That could not dishearten him.
An employer once, he became a farm employee himself and
used the wage for the Nivedhana service of Lord. As the wage rice went to the
Lord, he and his wife had only the Palak - Keerai in Tamil for their food. That
also fell short. They lived on mere water but were glad that they earned the
rice for the Lord. Once, when Nayanar was carrying the Nivedhana to Lord, as
they were exhausted due starvation, his wife fell down and when Nayanar rescued
her, the basket of Nivedhana fell and scattered. As it went waste, Nayanar
took the small sickle he had for cutting paddy and was about to kill
himself.
Shocked by the magnitude of Nayanar’s devotion, his wife
held her Mangal Sutra in her hands and cried to Lord to save her from
widowhood. A hand with Rudraksha appeared from the ground where the Nivedhana
fell scattered and held Nayanar’s hand and prevented his attempt to kill
himself. He granted darshan with Mother Parvathi to Nayanar and his
wife. As Nayanar ventured to use the sickle – Aruval in Tamil, he came to
be known as Arival Thaya Nayanar.
Shiva
quelled Koorma:
Shiva is said to have quelled Koorma (Avatharam of
Vishnu), and used its shell as an ornament here.
Kochenganan
got cured of his leprosy here:
It is the staunch faith of those suffering from leprosy
that their cure is a certainty if they pray in this temple. Chola king Kochenganan
built a number of Mada temples for Lord Shiva. He was infected with leprosy
once. He visited temples after temples praying to Lord Shiva for cure but in
vain. Lord Shiva advised the king in a voice to go to a place where a stone
bull will eat grass. When he came to this temple with a garland of grass for
Lord, the Nandhi (Stone Bull) pulled the garland and ate it. King recalled the
advice of Lord Shiva. His disease disappeared. King did many renovations to the
temple.