Deivanayaka Easwarar Temple (Arambeshwarar Temple),
Ilambaiyangkottur – Legends
Deiva Nayaka Easwarar:
When
Shiva started his march to destroy the three demons (Tiripura Samharam) -
Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidunmali with 3 flying forts (Gold, Silver and
Iron) to protect the Devas, he did not worship Vinayagar and hence the pinwheel
of the Chariot broke and when he had to bend down because of that, the Kondrai
(a tropical yellow flower) garland he was wearing is said to have fallen here
and became a Swayambu Lingam. As this lingam is considered to have been formed
from the lord’s garland the lord here is considered to be “Theendathirumeni”
(untouched by human hands).
During
the march, it is believed that all the devas who were under the commands of Lord
Shiva stopped and worshipped this Swayambu lingam. Hence this lingam here is
praised as “Deiva Nayaka Easwarar” (literally translated as “the lord who was
worshiped by the rest of the gods”). As the Lord is worshiped by rest of
the gods, Devotees believe that worshiping Lord Shiva here would negate the ill
effects of previous births.
Arambeshwarar:
Another
legend associated with this place is that Lord Shiva at this place is said to
have been worshiped by the Apsaras (Arambais) – the magical beings of the
celestial world. They sought the blessings of Lord Shiva in order to keep their
alluring beauty perennially. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva appeared
before them in the form of Yoga Dakshinamurthy and blessed them with the gift
of perennial youth (Ilamai in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name Ilambaiyangkottur.
Since the Apsaras (Arambais) worshiped the lord here, he is also praised as Arambeshwarar.
Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy is very famous in this temple and worshiping him on
full moon night is considered to be auspicious. It is believed that worshiping
this lord would relieve any ill effects from planet Jupiter (Guru in Tamil).
Lord directed Sambandar to this Temple:
Another
legend associated with this temple is that when Saint Sambandhar was travelling
near this place, Lord Shiva wanted to direct him to go to this temple. He tried
to seek Sambandar’s attention in a couple of ways – first he appeared as a
child, second time as an old man but neither Sambandhar nor his followers could
recognize it. Third time Lord Shiva took the form of a white cow and hit his
palanquin.
Sambandhar
realized that this was none other than Lord Shiva himself and followed the cow
to the temple. On reaching the temple, the cow disappeared. Sambandhar
mentioned about this incident in the third stanza of this temple’s hymn. The
significance of Sambandar’s hymn about the lord of this temple is that in all
the stanzas he mentioned the words “Enathu urai thanathu uraiyaka” meaning
whatever he says are not from him but from the God himself.
Chandran worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is
said that Chandran (Moon), who was cursed by King Dakshan, had worshiped Lord
Shiva here after taking a holy dip in the Malligai Theertham in order to seek
absolution for his sins.