Uthira Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Tiruchenkattankudi –
Legends
Siruthondar:
The temple and the place occupy a place of importance in
Saivism history. This is the birth place of Paranjothi, a staunch Shiva devotee
and Chief of the Pallava army. He was always a winner and lost no battle
as he was backed by the blessings of Lord Shiva. The king thought that if
anything unnatural occurred to his commander, it would be a wrong committed
against Lord Shiva and therefore, granted retirement to him from services to
continue a choice life dedicated to the service of Lord.
Paranjothi-later Siruthondar-was too happy that he would
be able to turn all his attention to a life of spirituality. He was married to
Mangai Nallal mentioned as Tiruvenkattu Nangai in our Saivite scriptures and a
son named Seeralan. The couple was very particular to have their food only
after hosting a lunch to Shiva devotees. They served what devotees
wished. One day none turned up. Siruthondar left the house in search
of a devotee. When he was out, a Shiva devotee knocked at his house.
Tiruvenkattu Nangai and her maid Seerala Nangai welcomed
the devotee and invited for the lunch. The devotee said that he would not
accept the invitation when the male head of the house was absent and that he
would wait near the Kattathi tree at the temple. When Siruthondar returned
he was happy to hear that a Shiva devotee was waiting at the temple. He rushed
to meet him and extended his invitation.
The Shiva devotee said that he would dine with him only
if Siruthondar slaughtered his only son, cook and serve him the meat. Siruthondar
had no hesitation to accept the condition. He and his wife prepared the
food with their son’s meat as wished by the devotee. When food was served, the
Shiva devotee asked the host to call his son also to join him.
Shocked and surprised, the couple came out and cried
Seerala, Seerala. The boy in all flesh and blood came alive before
them. When they entered, the Devotee in his true form granted darshan with
Mother Parvathi and salvation to all of the four including the maid. He
was Lord Pasupatheeswarar. The Kattathi tree and a shrine of the family of
Siruthondar are just before the Shrine of Lord.
Four
Ambikas:
A king ruling this region then had no children. He
prayed to Lord Shiva for child boon. While he set out for hunting once, he
found four beautiful female children, brought them up as his own daughters in
the place. When they attained the marriageable age, he begged Lord Shiva
to marry them which Lord obliged. They are the four Ambicas’s in four
temple as Vaaitha Tirukuzhal Nayaki in this temple, Karundhar Kuzhali Ammai in Thirupugalur,
Sarivar Kuzhali in Ganapatheeswaram and Vandar Kuzhali in Thirumarugal. They
also bear the common name Shoolikambal as they took care of poor women during
her labour time and helped safe delivery.
Shool in Tamil mean pregnancy. Hence, they got the
name Shoolikambal. As Ambikas returned late at night after attending the
pregnant woman, they did not enter the temple and waited outside. Hence,
their shrines also are outside the temple. During the Arthajama Puja
(final night puja), a Nivedhana made of Samba rice, pepper, Seeragam, salt and
ghee (given to mothers after delivery of the child) is offered to Ambicas.
Vadhabi
Ganapathi:
Vinayaka worship came in to Tamilnadu with the arrival
of Vadhabi Ganapathi from north. During a war, Paranjothi saw this Vinayaka,
worshipped him, won the war and brought the idol here as his trophy. He
installed the Lord in this place, where Vinayaka earlier got relieved from the Dosha
for killing demon Gaja Mukha Asura. Vinayaka idol worship began from this event
only, it is said. Hence, he is praised as Aadhi Vinayaka.
He is in a sitting form folding both legs. Special
pujas are performed to him on Chaturthi days-fourth day of full or new moon. It
is also believed that Lord Shiva granted relief to Vinayaka earlier here from his
Dosha on a Sadaya star day in Margazhi (December-January) month. Special
pujas are performed on this day with Lord Vinayaka procession.
Scar on
Lord Uthira Pasupatheeswarar:
A king wanted to make an idol for Shiva depicting his
darshan to Siruthondar. But the idol was not perfect despite several
attempts. A Shiva devotee came there and asked for water. The
frustrated sculptors offered the melting metal mixture to him. The devotee
drank it and became a perfect idol. There was a small projection due to
excess metal on the forehead. When the sculptors attempted to correct it by removing
the excess metal, it began to bleed. They immediately applied saffron and
borneol (Pachai karpooram) to stop the bleedings.
The scar on Lord Uthira Pasupatheeswarar is still visible.
During the evening pujas saffron and borneol are used. Abishek are
performed to Lord Uthira Pasupatheeswarar on the Tamil monthly days of
Chithirai-April-May, Aadi-July-August, Aipasi-October-November,
Thai-January-February, and Chithirai Bharani star day-April-May, Vaikasi
Thiruvonam star day in May-June and Aipasi Bharani star day in
October-November.
Thiru
Chengattan Kudi:
As the blood of demon Gajamukhasuran flowed as a river
when he was destroyed, the place is called Thiru Chengattan Kudi in Tamil and
Raktharanya Kshetra in Sanskrit.
Ganapatheeswarar:
Lord Vinayaka came to this place and worshipped Swayambu
Linga Shiva to get relief from the Dosha of killing demon Gaja mukha
Asura. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Vinayaka-Ganapathy, hence
praised as Ganapatheeswarar.
Bhairava
killed Demons here:
Bhairava is said to have killed Raktabheejan & other
demons here.
