Ramanadeeswarar Temple, Raamanadeechuram
(Thirukkannapuram) – Legends
Ramanadheeswaram:
Lord Rama
on his way back to Ayodhya worshipped Shiva at this place and hence the name of
the place as Ramanadheeswaram. Lord Shiva is praised here as Rama Natheswarar.
Mother holding Nandhi in her Hand:
Lord Sri
Rama had to kill Ravana and his army to rescue Mother Sita from his
captivity. To relieve himself from the doshas he incurred, he worshipped
Lord Shiva in Rameswaram and proceeded to Ayodhya. On the way, he found a
Shiva Linga under a Shenbaga tree and was ready to perform a puja. Nandhi the
bull vehicle of Shiva took Rama as an ordinary human and prevented Rama to go
close to the Linga. Ambica pulled Nandhi and helped Rama to perform Shiva
Puja. Rama was happy and returned to Ayodhya after the Shiva
puja. This legend has been depicted in the Somaskanda moortham of this
temple showing Parvathi Devi is holding Nandhi in her hand (For safety reasons
the Vigraham is in Thirupugalur temple).
Mother Shrine located outside the Temple:
A king
ruling this region then, prayed to Lord Shiva for child boon and performed a
yajna. Through his voice, Lord assured the king that Ambica would be his
daughter. When the king set out on hunting, he found four female children, brought
up them as his own daughters. They were Shiva devotees by their very
nature. When they attained age, king begged Lord to marry them. Lord
was happy to grant king’s wish. They are the Ambicas in four places –
Sarivar Kuzhali in this temple, Vaaitha Tirukuzhal Nayaki in Tiruchengattankudi,
Karundhar Kuzhali in Thirupugalur and Vandar Kuzhali in Thirumarugal.
They
also bear the common name Shoolikambal as they helped a poor pregnant woman
deliver her child during absence of her mother who was stuck at the other bank
of the river due to heavy floods. Shool or Karu in Tamil means pregnancy. Karu
Katha Ambica is another name of the Mother in the temple. As Ambicas returned
late, they could not enter the temple. Mother shrines are outside temples
in these four places. During the Arthajama pujas (final night pujas) samba
rice with pepper, Seeragam, salt and ghee is offered as Nivedhana, a diet
prescribed for mothers after delivery.