Piravi Maruntheeswarar Temple, Thiruthuraipoondi –
Legends
Jallika
got back his Husband from death by worshipping Shiva:
Jallika, though belonged to the demon community, was a
staunch Shiva devotee. She was good in nature. Her husband
Virupakshan was all cruel and preferred human flesh for his food. A young
boy was proceeding to Ganga to perform shrarda (an annual ritual performed
in memory of departed parents by sons). When Virupaksha rushed to devour
the boy, Jallika prevented him saying that killing and eating Brahmins would
turn into a poison and kill him in turn. The demon husband pushed her
aside and devoured the Brahmin boy and died instantaneously.
Jallika rushed to Lord Shiva in Thiruthuraipoondi and
cried saying that her husband was truly wicked and begged the Lord to give him
back to her as she could not live without him. She also prayed that the Lord
created only wise and noble souls and not flesh seeking demons. Moved by
her prayers, Mother Periyanayagi appeared before her and restored both the Brahmin
boy and her demon husband to life.
The boy asked the Mother what prompted her to restore
his life though his fate was otherwise, Mother said that her grace would always
rain on those who respectfully perform shrardha to ancestors and that she would
grant the souls total salvation and place them in heaven. She told Jallika
that she would not let any woman deprived of her Mangalsutra wishing the
welfare of the husband however wicked he was and promised to correct him.
Worshipping
the Lord on New Moon and Full Moon days:
It is believed that worshipping the Lord on New Moon and
Full Moon days would free the devotee from any fear in his/her mind.
Gajasamahara
Murthy:
Sages of Dharukavanam came to an arrogant conclusion
that Lord Shiva gains power only through the Yagnas performed by
them. Lord Shiva, to teach them a lesson, came to their place in the guise
of a young beggar but in his alluring best. Their wives could not control their
exciting comments on his handsomeness and followed him madly without noticing
their dresses loosening. Meantime, Lord Vishnu too appeared before the
sages as an enchanting angel whose beauty was beyond the power of words. They
followed this woman as madly as their wives did after the young beggar.
Soon the Rishis realized that they had been fooled and
became angry and wanted to revenge the Lord for the humiliation meted out to
them. They created a ferocious elephant through a Yagna to kill Lord Shiva. Contrary
to their expectations, the animal was killed by the Lord using its skin as a
blanket to cover his body. Hence, the Lord came to be praised as
Gajasamharamurthy. The sages shed their pride and surrendered to Lord.
Parihara
Sthalam for Ashwini Starrers:
Piravi (birth) Marundeeswarar helps devotees from the
cycle of births and deaths and offers total salvation to Jeevatmas. Those born
of Ashwini star naturally have the power of resistance from illnesses. In
order to sustain that gift, they are advised to visit this temple and perform Dhanavanthri
Homa and Saneeswara Homa and worship planet Mars-Angaraka. People belonging to
Ashwini star are generally well to do and intelligent. They love debates
and pomp and splendour. They are loveable and understand others. They have
the characteristics of a teacher and teach others. They are interested in
religious studies, epics, philosophy and astrology.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Nava Rishis (Agasthya, Vamadeva, Kashyapa, Athri, Bharadhwaja,
Gowthama, Viswamithra , Jamadagni & Vashista), Navagraha, Indra, Vishnu, Musukundha,
Harichandra, Katwangatha, Kalmashapadha, Dilipa, Lava, Kaartha Veerya, Yayathi,
Somasarma, Krishna Sarma, Vajra Sarma, Gnana Sarma, Sukesa Sarma, Merchants
like Chandragupta, Dhanarakshaka, Kamalanayana and Kruthagya.
Chanrda
Choodamani Thandavam:
Lord Nataraja performed Chanrda Choodamani Thandava for
the Nava Rishis.
Place
for Salvation:
The Lord blessed salvation for Kamalanabha, Karunakara,
Vaivegi (a thief), Pandya King Vasumathi and others.
Other
Names:
The place has many historical names such as Vilvaranyam,
Brahmapuri, Navatheerthapuram, Jallikaranyam and Navagrahapuram.
Etymology:
“Tharu” in Tamil means “Vriksha” in Sanskrit. The Sthala
Vriksha of this Temple is Vilwam and it was called as Thiruththaruppoondi.
