Oondreeswarar Temple, Poondi – Legends
Oondreeswarar:
Saint Sundarar married Paravai Nachiyar in
Tiruvarur. He also married Sangili Nachiyar in Thiruvottriyur who was a
staunch Shiva devotee and promised her that he won’t leave her. Lord Shiva was
witness to the marriage and the promise. Sundarar breached his promise and
proceeded to Thiruvarur. While he was crossing the borders of
Thiruvottriyur, he lost his vision. He understood that he was punished for
violating his promise and appealed to Lord Shiva. Lord did not respond to
the prayer.
Sundarar proceeded to Tiruvarur facing all struggles and
came to this place on the way and repeated his appeal to Lord for vision. Lord
Shiva kept mum but Sundarar was unrelenting. He asked the Lord whether he
was really there and if so “give me my vision.” Lord, though
sympathized with his fond devotee, gave Sundarar just a walking stick (Oondru in Tamil) saying that he was there only and he could proceed
with the help of the stick. Hence he came to be known as Oondreeswarar.
Sundarar demanded that the Lord should grace him as a
friend but the Lord was unyielding. Sundarar became angry and argued with
the Lord loudly but in vain. In a fit of anger, Sundarar threw the walking
stick granted to him which hit the right horn of Nandhi breaking it. Sundarar
proceeded sadly towards Kancheepuram. In this temple, Sundarar holding a pole
adjacent to Nandi with the broken horn are found.
Minnoli
Ambal:
Mother Minnoli Ambal was ready to accompany blind
Sundarar struggling to walk with his stick but Lord Shiva prevented her from
doing so. Indicating this event, we see the left leg of Mother in a
forward motion. Mother told Sundarar that life goes in accordance
with one’s good or evil deeds. “Though you have lost your vision
now, you will regain it shortly with the grace of the Lord” She assured
Sundarar. She guided Sundarar on his way to Kanchipuram from this place, Parvati appeared as a
lightning in front of him, giving the name of Minnoli Nayagi
(Minnoli indicated lightning in Tamil). Hence, Mother is worshipped as
Minnoli Ambal and Kanivai Mozhi Nayaki – Mother with assuring words.