Thuyartheertha Nathar Temple, Omampuliyur – Legends
Vyagrapada
Rishi worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Omampuliyur is one of the five important Puliyur Siva
Kshetrams (Perumpuliyur, Erukkattampuliyur, Omampuliyur, Paatirippuliyur and
Perumpatrappuliyur (Chidambaram)), visited by Vyagrapada Rishi. Sage Vyakrapada
(the saint with tiger's claws and feet) came to Omapuliyur and prayed to Lord
to grant him dance darshan in Chidambaram. With significance to the visit and
prayer of the sage, Lord is named Pranava Vyagrapureeswarar.
Lord
Shiva gave Moksham to a Hunter:
According to the legend, a hunter once was chased by a
tiger. Afraid that the tiger will kill him, he climbed a Vilva tree and stayed
there throughout the night. Thinking that he may go to sleep and fall down from
the tree, he plucked the leaves of Vilva tree and threw it down. Under the tree
there was a Shivalingam, and unknowingly he worshipped Shiva with Vilva leaves
for the whole night. Pleased with his action, it is believed that God Shiva
gave Darshan to him and the hunter attained Moksha (salvation) at this Sthalam.
This legend is also linked to another Shivasthalam Tiruvaikavur.
Omapuliyur:
As the place has clouds of smoke due to the Homas – a
puja performance through fire worship – saint Thirunavukkarasar calls it
Omapuliyur in his hymn.
Lord
Shiva taught Pranava Manthra to Mother Parvathi:
Mother Uma was listening to Lord Shiva on the Pranava
Mantra teaching. As her attention turned off, Lord Shiva cursed her to be
born a human on Earth. After severe penance, Lord came to her as Dakshinamurthy
and completed the teaching. As this was taking place Lord Muruga was
stopped from entering the temple by Nandi. He then transformed into a bee and
went in and lodged himself in Amman’s hair to listen to the Mandiram (Holy
Words). He then left in anger for Swamimalai. Lord Siva went to Swamimalai to
set things right and to his surprise he was told the Mandiram by Muruga. Hence,
the place has Guru (Jupiter) importance. Hence the place is called
as Umapuliyur which later changed as Omapuliyur.
King
Sadananda got relieved of leprosy here:
A king Sadananda, a staunch Shiva devotee got his
leprosy cured with a dip in the holy Varadanan tank here.
Celestials
got relieved of their curse here:
Two virgins from the celestial world came down to earth
as swine and a human due to the curse of sage Durvasa. They were
chased by a tiger. They ran to escape and reached Gowri Theertha. A woman,
after a bath in the tank was drying her hair. A few drops of water from
her hair fell on the virgins restoring g them to their original forms.
Etymology:
The name Omaampuliyur is said to have been derived from
this legend (Om Aam Puliyur).
