Vayalur Murugan Temple – Legends
Lord Shiva appeared as Swayambu to a Chola King:
According
to a hearsay story, a Chola King came to this spot in search of water to quench
his thirst after long hunting. He found a sugar cane with three branches
and wanted to squeeze and drink the juice. When he broke it, blood sprang
from the Sugarcane and after digging the ground, a Shiva Linga was found. The
king built a temple on the spot.
Lord Muruga instructed Sage Arunagiri Nathar to visit
Vayalur:
After
protecting sage Arunagiri when he fell from the tower of the Tiruvannamalai
temple, Lord Muruga gave the first line to enable him to sing his praise and directed
him to come to Vayalur. Arunagiriar came to Vayalur; he sought his
permission to pray first Poyya Ganapathi, which was granted. He sang few hymns;
later Ganesa appeared in his dreams and blessed him to sing Thiruppugazh
uninterruptedly.
He had
sang as many as eighteen hymns, praising Vel in his hand, the Kadamba flower
garland around his neck, his holy feet and twelve shoulders as well as Lord
Siva, Adhinathar, the presiding deity, narrating him as Agneeswarar
(Thiruvakkeesar). Lord Muruga wrote the Pranava Mantra on the tongue of
Arunagiriar with his weapon Vel. In the long volume of Thirupugazh,
Vayalur has a special place of importance.
Kripanandavariar contribution to Vayalur Temple:
It is
due to the personal devotion and dedication of the great Muruga devotee Sri
Kripanandavariar, who lived in the last century, Vayalur came to be known as a
temple of great reputation among the Muruga temples in the state of
Tamilnadu.
Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Lord
Muruga worshipped his father Lord Shiva here.