Vellimalainathar Temple, Thiruthangur – Legends
This
place unaffected during Pralaya:
Millenniums ago the world was destroyed by the great
flood. Lord Shiva asked Lord Vishnu to create the world again. Lord Vishnu
first created Lord Brahmma from his naval and ordered him to create a new
world. Even during the great Pralaya the floods, one place stood unaffected
with Vilwa trees. Wondered by the glory of the place withstanding the
devastating currents of floods, the planets including the serpent planets
installed a Linga each on the banks of Agasthya River and performed penance on
Lord Shiva for 1000 years.
Lord Shiva appeared before them, organized the new world
into different zones and appointed each planet as the head of a particular zone
and empowered them to treat people with rewards and punishments based on their
good or bad deeds. Lord Brahmma came to this place and named the place as
Navagrahapuram pleased with the planets. Devendhran came here and
installed the Vellimalainathar Linga. Mother was named Bhrihannayaki – Periyanayagi.
Mahalakshmi
performed penance on Lord Shiva:
Mother Mahalakshmi had stayed in this holy place
performing penance on Lord Shiva. Thiru = (Thirumakal), Thangur = (staying
/ living place) and this place is called as Thiruthangur)
Sukracharya
regained his eyesight by worshipping Shiva here:
Asura Guru Sukracharya is believed to have regained his
eyesight after worshipping Shiva here.
People
worshipped Shiva here:
Navagrahams and Lakshmi worshipped Shiva here.