Saptharisheeswarar Temple, Lalgudi – Legends
Story behind the vertical red split on Linga’s Head:
The Linga
has a vertical red split on its head and there is an interesting story about
the origin of this temple. It seems an Asura called Darukasura was
troubling the devas and nothing could be done against him because, he
would only be killed by son of Lord Shiva. When the devas went
and prayed Lord Shiva, six sparks of fire emanated from his third
eye. These sparks were initially taken care of by river Ganges and
later they were entrusted by the Saptha Rishis (Seven great sages viz Athri,
Brugu, Vasishta, Gautama, Angiras and Mareechi with the wives to look after.
Though they
were looking after them fell, to give milk to the six babies they summoned
the Karthika maidens. When the sages came to know about it, they
lost their temper and drove away their wives from their home. This
was brought to the notice of Lord Shanmuga only when he was returning
after killing the Darukasura. And he cursed the sages. To get rid of
the curse the sages went to Thiruvaiyaru and spent lot of time in
penance and when they failed they came to Thiruthavathurai and prayed to
Lord Shiva.
Then it
seems the top of the Shiva Linga split and all the seven sages
were taken inside him. When they became a part of the Lord himself,
they lost the effect of the curse. The Saptha rishis started living in
that temple forever. Since Planet
Sun was the son of Marichi, Moon the son of sage Athri, Mercury is the son of
moon, Jupiter is the son of sage Angiras, Mars belonged to
family of Vasishta and Sani was the son of Sun God. So when a
devotee prays in this temple all the problems due to these nine
plants vanish.
Vishnu got his Chakkrayudha back after worshipping
Shiva here:
It also
believed that Lord Vishnu got his Chakkrayudha after worshipping the Linga
here.
Linga erected by Ravana:
There
are 2 Shivalingas in the temple. The Shivalinga in the main altar was worshiped
by the Saptha Rishis. The other Linga was erected by King Ravana and worshiped by
him on the way from Kailash back to Lanka after obtaining a boon from lord
Shiva for 35 million years of life. King Ravana on his way back from
Kailash saw this temple from his Vimana and came down and made a Linga and
started worshipping it. The seven saints, Saptha Rishis on seeing Ravana hid in
a tree behind the temple. A tree present behind the temple called Marutha Maram
in native language exists. There are multiple knots on the tree and 7 prominent
ones which are believed to be the rishis in the tree.
Since
Ravana had 35 million years to live, Lord Vishnu wanted it to be
shortened. So he assumed the form of an old Brahman at a place called Kathri Medu approximately
1 km from Thiruthlayaur to tackle Ravana. As Ravana was passing by he saw
the old man watering a Thulasi plant in pot with a pitcher with holes in it.
King Ravana addressed the old man and the old man being pleased blessed him and
told him to request more years of life from Lord Shiva. King Ravana took to the
suggestion and started severe prayers to Lord Shiva.
Ravana
started cutting his own head one by one as he had 10 heads. When he was about
to cut his 10th and last head, pleased with his worship Lord Shiva appeared in
front of him and granted a boon. Ravana asked for 5 million years of life.
The Lord granted him and vanished. Then Ravana realized he was tricked as he
failed to mention that this 5 million years was to be in addition to the
35 million years he already had. But it was late and his life span was
reduced from 35 million years to 5 million years.
Ruthra Pasupathi Nayanar:
Ruthra
Pasupathi Nayanar, one of the 64 Nayanmars, lived here and worshiped Lord
Shiva.
Temple Pond doesn’t have Frogs in it:
The Pond
in front of the Temple does not have any frogs in it. It is said Mandothari who
was Ravana's wife assumed the form of a frog and guarded the temple when Ravana
was in prayer and did not let anyone into the temple.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Worshipped
by Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saptharishis, Devas, Ravana, Murugar, Bhairavi and Sage Parasara.
Malava king got his leprosy disease cured here:
Malava
king got his leprosy disease cured here by worshipping Lord Shiva.