Thirumakalam Mahakalanathar Temple – Legends
Somasimarar
Nayanmar:
Somasimarar, one among the celebrated 63 Nayanmars was
residing here with his wife Susheelai. He wanted to conduct the Soma Yajna
and aspired that Lord Shiva himself should be present in the Yaga sala to
accept the Havir Baga the fruits of the yajna. To invite the Lord, it was
necessary to secure the help of Saint Sundarar who was suffering from coughing
then. To cure him of the coughing, Nayanar sent herbal leaves called Thoodhuvalai
Keerai every day. Sundarar did not know who sent the medicine to him but
his spouse Sangiliar knew the person.
When relieved, Sundarar came to see Somasiar to thank
him. Somasiar sought the help of Sundarar to get Lord to be present in his
Yajna and Sundarar was too happy to take up the mission and secured the consent
of Lord. Lord promised to be present on the Ayilya star day in Vaikasi
(May-June). As Lord Himself would be attending the yajna, Vedic scholars,
sages from all corners gathered at the yajna spot. Lord came there as low
caste born with four dogs representing four Vedas and a dead calf. He was
accompanied by Mother Parvathi, Vinayaka and Muruga.
As a Neecha-low born appeared there, all were afraid
that there was something seriously wrong in the procedures of Yajna. Lord
Vinayaka appeared in his true form and told Somasiar that the visitor was no
less a person than Lord Shiva himself. Somasiar’s joy knew bounds. He did
all honours to Lord Shiva Thyagaraja and offered the Havir Bagha. Lord
left his Neecha form and granted darshan to Somasiar with Mother Parvathi and
made him one among the Nayanmars.
Parvathi
killing Amban and Ambarasuran:
Two demons, Amban and Ambarasuran planned to wed Mother
Parvathi. Knowing their plan, Mother took the form of Kali and destroyed
them. She thus incurred the sin Brahmahatti Dosha. To relieve herself
from the sin, she installed a Shivalinga here and performed archanas with Vilwa
leaves. As Kali performed Shiva Puja here, the Lord is known as
Makalanathar.
Practice
of offering two garlands to Mother:
Sage Madanga Maharishi sought child boon from Lord
Shiva. He was blessed with a girl child and was named
Rajamadangi. When she grew, Lord appeared before her and asked about her
wish. Rajamadangi said that she wanted to be with him in Wedding
form. Based on this event, those facing delays in wedding offer two
garlands to Mother and then wear one of them on self.
Lord
Vinayaka with a human face:
Lord Vinayaka with a human face and Adhi Skanda grace
the devotees in the temple. As Lord Vinayaka came here to take part in the
yajna of Somasiar with a human face, it is said that he had stayed here in the
same form.
Authority
of deciding the longevity of people:
Lord Makaleswara in the temple is believed to be the
authority to decide the longevity of people. People pray for longevity here and
also Lord Shiva in Ujjain and in Irumbai near Villupuram.