Rathnapureeswarar Temple, Thirunattiyathangudi –
Legends
Kotpuli
Nayanar:
Kotpuli Nayanar is associated with this temple and his
association is commemorated each year in the month of Aadi. Kotpuli Nayanar,
one among the celebrated 63 Nayanmars and a native of this place was the
commander of the Chola army. He was a furious tiger (Puli in Tamil) before the enemies,
hence called Kotpuli. He used to spend a major part of his earnings in
procuring paddy to be used for temple renovation purpose. Once, when he
left for a war against the enemies, he left strict instructions to members of
the family all stocks of paddy should be in tact saying that they belonged to
Lord and warned that any personal or misuse by anybody would end in their
death.
Meantime, they can use it for temple use genuinely, he
said. After his departure, famine engulfed the country. The family had but to
use the paddy meant for temple use. Nayanar returned victoriously but was
shocked that the paddy in store had been used by his people. He asked his
security to see that none escape from the house. He called his parents,
wife and children and mercilessly murdered them with his sword. One little boy
was in a corner. The security asked Nayanar to spare him as he did not take
food for days.
Nayanar simply replied that though he did not eat the
rice kept for the Lord, he would have been breast fed by his mother who misused
God’s paddy and cut him into two pieces. Lord appeared before him with
Mother Parvathi on his bull vehicle Nandhi and said that all his people had
reached his Lotus feet and asked Nayanar to join them. He granted
salvation to Kotpuli Nayanar.
Sundarar
got darshan of Shiva & Parvathy as farmers:
When Saint Sundarar came to the temple he was shocked
that Lord and Mother were absent. Lord Kai Kattu Vinayakar showed the saint the
northeastern direction where Lord and Mother were planting paddy siblings. Sundarar
with the right of a devotee asked the Lord to stop the work for the day and requested
to return and that he could do the pending planting next day. Responding to the
appeal of the devotee they came in to the temple.
Karinaleswarar:
An elephant created a spring here, bathed daily and was
worshipping Lord Shiva and attained salvation. That spring is known as Kari
(elephant) Theertham. The name Karinaleswarar stems from the worship offered by
an elephant here.
Kotpuli
Nayanar offered to Sundarar his daughters Singadi and Vanapagai:
Kotpuli Nayanar offered to Sundarar his daughters Singadi
and Vanapagai as maids to serve him. Sundarar accepted them as his daughters. All
the Moorthys in the temple are wearing a Rudraksha called Makarakandiga.
Rathnapureeswarar:
King Ratnendra Chola and his brother wanted to partition
the diamonds left by their parents. They did not agree with the value
determined by various assessors. Only confusion continued. Both
sought the help of Lord of the temple to decide the issue. Lord came in the
guise of diamond merchant and solved their problem and also in sharing the
kingdom. As Lord came as diamond (Rathna in Sanskrit and Gem in English)
merchant, He is praised as Rathnapureeswarar.