Thirunethranathar Temple, Thirupalli Mukkudal –
Legends
Sri Rama
performed Tharpan for his father Dasaratha here:
This is one of the places where Lord Sri Rama performed Tharpan
for his father Dasaratha. Performing Tharpan in this tank is considered equal
to performing Shrardha for ancestors in Gaya. Hence, the place is
named Kekkarai.
12
Theertham Wells:
There are 12 wells in the temple tank. The devotee
derives the benefit of bathing in the Maha Magam tank if he/she bathes
here. Also bathing in this temple for 12 new moon days without a break
will relieve the devotees of delays in their weddings and also concerns about
the welfare of children.
Lord in
the guise of Brahmana married Mother:
Mother Ambica is praised as Mayil Mevum Kanni. A
queen, Tapovadahani by name worshipped Ambica seeking child boon. Responding to
her prayer, Mother appeared as a child on a lotus leaf. The queen was
happy to have the child and brought her up. When the child grew and
attained the marriageable age, Lord came in the guise of a Brahmin and married
her, according to the Sthala Purana.
Jatayu
Moksham:
Jatayu, an unforgettable character in epic Ramayana who
laid his life in the service of Lord Sri Rama performed penance on Lord Shiva
here seeking his grace to help him simultaneously bathe in Kasi
(now Varanasi) and Rameswaram and attain salvation. Pleased with his
penance and his noble aim, Lord appeared before him and said that he would be
fighting with Ravana to rescue Mother Sita from his abduction attempt when his
wings would be cut off by Ravana. When he would be in acute pain, Sri Rama
will come there and that he would be giving the information about the direction
Sita was taken by Ravana.
Jatayu would fall at his feet and attain salvation. Jatayu
asked back how he would be able to fly and bathe in Kasi and Rameswaram if his
wings were cut off by Ravana. Lord replied saying that Jatayu wanted only
one Sethu Samudra Sanana but bathing in the tank of this temple was equal to
bathing in 16 Sethu Snana Ghats. It is said that this tank was dug
by Lord Vinayaka during Brungi Maharishi period.
Equivalent
to Triveni Sangamam:
This Theertham-tank is equal to the Triveni confluence
of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi, hence praised as Mukkudal meaning the
confluence of three Theerthams.
Kollu
Bag turning into Shiva Linga:
A Chola king who was on hunting had to stay here for a
night. He had the habit of taking the dinner only after Lord Shiva
worship. The horseman made a Linga of the Kollu bag (the grain for horses)
and enabled the king to do his Shiva puja before dinner. When he later
tried to take the bag, he could not as it became a real Shivalinga, according
to the history of the place.
Other
Names:
Ariyan Palli and Kuruvi Rameswaram are the historical
names of this place.