Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvottriyur – Legends

Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvottriyur – Legends

Presiding Deity of this Temple reunited and purified Vedas recovered by Lord Vishnu:

Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the three primary gods of Hinduism, the other two being Vishnu and Śiva. He created the Gods and demons - both these groups fight against each other. While the demons, called Asuras use muscle power, the Gods called devas use the power of Veda, the sacred texts. Once, two demons, Madhu and Kaithaba tricked the gods to steal the Veda, chopped it to pieces and hid it in the bottom of the sea. 

Vishnu fought the demons, but could not defeat them. He prayed to Shiva and Parvathi and with the accomplishment, he was able to defeat the demons. He took the form of Matsya, a fish to search the Veda. The recovered Veda from the bottom of the sea was brought to the deity at this temple, who reunited and purified it. The wishing tree of gods, makizha tree, became the sacred tree of the temple.

Ficus Tree:

The Ficus Tree ("Aththi Maram") is the stalavriksha. An interesting story is told about this tree. Once, in Devaloka – the five heavenly tharus (trees), Sandanam, Devatharu, Karpagam, Mandharam and Parijadham were re-considering their life at Devaloka. They wore distressed and dejected because of the constant trouble created by the Asuras. They wanted to leave heaven to some place with some quiet and peace. As they were thinking thus, they heard some sages discuss the glory of Thiruvottriyur. The five tharus came to Thiruvottriyur and sat in meditation intrigued with the intensity of their prayers.

Shiva appeared before them and asked them what they wanted. The five tharus replied – “Please grand our request. We would like to touch your feet eternally and stay there worshipping you for all time.” To this Shiva answered with a smile – “My manifestation at Thiruvottriyur as Padampakka Nathar is a form which is not to be touched by any hand – mortal or immortal. In fact, when Murugan wanted to worship me by touching my feet, I ushered him to Thirumayilai. However, I can give you another alternative. You can stay here as a Magizha maram and I will be glad to stay under your shade”.

On hearing this, their joy knew no bounds. The five tharus became the Magizha maram that one sees today at the Thyagarajaswami temple. Even today, they stand singing the praise of Shiva. The tree is seen as a manifestation of Shiva Himself. Tradition holds that those who climb the tree will have committed eternal sin. But if flowers fall on their own accord, devotees may wear them. They will be blessed in this life and the next.

Sundarar:

It was under this tree that Sundarar promised Sangili Nachiyar that he would not part from her or the temple of Thiruvottriyur. Sundarar’s story starts at Mount Kailas where he was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, when he went to the garden to pluck flowers for puja, he met Shakthi’s aides, Anithigai and Kamalini and fell in love with them. They were interested in him too. Shiva, with his omniscience knew this and blessed the three of them to be born on earth to partake of its pleasures. Sundarar immediately pleaded that Shiva should not allow him to become chained and bound by the ephemeral pleasures of the world. Shiva promised that he would stop him at the right time.

Sundarar was born of a family of temple priests at Thirunallaru. The name his parents gave him was Nambi Arooran. Anithigai was born as Paravai Nachiyar at Tiruvarur and Kamalini was born as Sangili Nachiyar at Gnayiru. Nambi Arooran grew up to be a handsome boy. Such was his charm that the King of Tirumannaippadi adopted him with his parents’ sanction and brought him up as his foster son. Plans were made for the wedding of Paravai with Nambi Arooran. The day before the wedding, an old Brahmin claimed that the wedding should be stopped and that Nambi Arooran was his slave for his lifetime. His grandfather had sold him off to him generations ago.

Nambi Arooran became furious. He couldn’t believe that this could happen to him the day before his wedding. He scolded the old man with a vengeance and asked for proof for his senile musings. The old Brahmin showed him a document which bore the signature of his grandfather and which indeed slated that he was the old man’s slave for the rest of his life. In agony and frustration, Nambi Arooran tore up the document that was the only proof. The old Brahmin was furious and took up the issue of the kings court at Thiruvennainallur. There he produced one more document stating that what he had shown earlier was a duplicate version and he still had the original with him safe and secure.

On comparing the signature on the document with other signatures of Nambi Arooran’s grandfather, the king gave the verdict that the Brahmin was right and that Nambi Arooran was the old mans’ slave. Happy with the verdict, the old Brahmin bade Nambi Arooran to follow him to his house. Arooran followed him with a perplexed mind and heavy heart, only to find that the Brahmin led him to the main shrine of the temple at Thiruvennainallur. He then disappeared as a gleam of light and reappeared with his consort, Shakthi and bade Nambi Arooran to compose a verse. When he hesitated, Shiva reminded him that he had called him a senile and mad person and so should sing of him as such. Nambi Arooran Sundarar sang the verse.

Sundarar then proceeded to visit various Punya Stalas singing the praise of Shiva until he visited Thiruvottriyur and married Sangili Nachiyar. Sundarar promised Sangili Nachiyar, under the stalavriksha, the Magizha maram, that he would not part from her or the temple of Thiruvottriyur. On breaking this promise, Sundarar lost his eyesight. He composed several heart rendering verses on his miserable condition, asking forgiveness for his breach of vow. He regained his sight with the grace of Shiva. The scene of Sundarar’s vow under the Magizha Maram is recreated till today as Magizhadi Servai, when Sundarar goes thrice on a pradakshinams around the shrines of Sri Thyagarajaswami and Vadivudai Amman and vows not to leave Sangili Nachiyar or Thiruvottriyur for the rest of his life. Hundreds of devotees come to the temple on Masi Magam to witness this festival.

Lord Shiva performed dance to Lord Vishnu:

Lord Vishnu is believed to have gone hysterical and missed the dance at Tiruvarur then Lord Thyagaraja asked him to go to Thiruvottriyur where he said he promised to perform the same dance. The temple is also associated with the Thyagaraja cult of Saivism.

Padamanatanam:

Somaskanda is the iconic form of Thyagaraja and is believed to have emerged from the 10th century in the period of Raja Raja Chola. The 8^th century saint Sundarar is believed to have spread the cult from Tiruvarur to the temple here. The Lord tricked him by making him take a promise that he would never leave Thiruvottriyur, but he breaks the promise and becomes blind. The seven dance forms of Thyagaraja, the Sapthavitankam, is represented in the cultic network comprising Thyagarajar temple in Tiruvarur, Dharbaranyeswarar temple in Tirunallar, Kayarohanaswamy temple in Nagapattinam, Kannayariamudayar temple in Thirukkarayil, Brahmapureeswarar temple in Thirukkuvalai, Vaimoornaathar temple in Tiruvaimur and Vedaranyeswarar temple in Vedaranyam. The dance pattern of the temple is called as Padamanatanam.

Adi Sankara stops sacrifices at the Bali Peeta:

It was believed that Sri Adi Sankara stops sacrifices at the Bali Peeta

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

·     Shakthi, Shiva’s consort heard about the eminence of this town from Shiva and worshipped his manifest form in this temple.

·    Brahma performed a severe penance and attained the blessings of Shiva, Brahma and beheld Shiva in the form of Agni and attained Satya loka. Shiva is called Brahmmareswarar as he blessed Brahma accepting his benediction.

·    Mahavishnu performed penance and attained Vaikunta at Thiruvottriyur. Shiva is called Thirumaaleeswarar as he blessed Thirumal Mahavishnu.

·        Sri Rama’s son, Lava rode by horse back from Porur to receive a darshan of the Lord during Pradosham. He was blessed with a vision of Shiva in all his glory.

·  The twenty-seven stars of Tamil calendar are believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

·     Indra, the king of the Devas worshipped Shiva and was cured of a curse that had befallen him.

·    Brahma or Vedapurusha placed all the Vedas before Padampakka Nathar and consecrated himself and his knowledge.

·        Nandideva worshipped Shiva and had a vision of his cosmic dance.

·        Chandran, the Moon God, worshipped Shiva with flowers and was purged of the curse that blighted him.

·   Adisesha, Lord Vishnu’s vaahana, performed puja with flowers and was blessed.

·        Vasuki, the snake attained his blessing by his staunch devotion.

·        Narada worshipped Thyagarajaswami and received his blessings.

·   Vanmiki (Valmiki), conjectured to have lived in 6000 B.C. could not receive the darshan of Shiva and was asked to visit the Marundeeswarar Temple at another part of Chennai. This place was called Thiruvanmiyur after his visit.

·        Vyasa (c.3000 B.C.) extolled the virtues of this temple to Sage Sooda.

·   Agastya had an astounding vision of Kailasa and Shiva’s wedding with Shakthi at this temple.

·        Sage Kura elucidated the greatness of this temple to his disciples.

·        Sage Upamanyu initiated Vasuki to visit the temple and get Shiva’s blessing and attained Shiva Dhiksha himself.

·     Panini’s presented his explication or Vyakarana of grammar at this temple first.

·        Sage Vageesar worshipped Shiva and was blessed by him.

·  Padagacheri Ramalingar, an ascetic has incepted a madam by the Pattinathar shrine.

Thondaiman restores the temple:

King Thondaiman ruled from Kanchipuram. He established his authority over all the other small kingdoms around Kanchi. But two Kings Vaanan and Onnan refused to subjugate to this authority. Thondaiman led a battle against these kings, but lost because a demon that defended them ate up King Thondaiman army. Totally disarmed, he went to Sage Romasa for guidance. He gave him a Dharbai a blade of grass to fight the demon. Thondaiman wondered as to how a delicate blade of grass was going to defend him. But left for the battle without a word. When the demon emerged, he flung the Dharbai at him. The blade of grass became the Mazhu – the weapon of Shiva and chased the demon. The demon, recognizing the weapon, as Shiva’s own, knew that he would be destroyed. Angered he ate up the kings Vaanan and Onnan and ran for his life, never to come back again.

Thondaiman became a great devotee of Shiva. He restored the Thyagarajaswami temple in 750 A.D. He worked on the restoration of the temple and constructed the shrines of Vadivudai Amman, Gunalaya Vinayagar, Vattapparai Amman, Valarkali Amman, Arul Jothi Murugan, Akasalingam, Sahasralingam and the 27 Natchktras. He also constructed the gopuras and the temple walls. Besides this, he also procured 500 Shivalingas and 500 austere Brahmins from Kasi and reinstated the temple according the agama texts. Moreover, he conducted the Tirukkadalattu, a water festival on Masi Magam. He gave away several lands and towns to the temple.

Thiruvottiyuran Adimai restores the temple:

Thiruvottiyuran Adimai was an ardent Devotee of Sri Thyagarajaswami and Vadivudai Amman. He undertook the restoration of the temple and organized the kuta Muzhukku of the temple in 1936. For 12 years, he visited the temple from his home in Choolaimedu without fail (even on the day of his son’s demise). Such was his devotion. He worked fervently and diligently for 14 years and completed the restoration work of the temple. He has also built a school and a hospital in honour of the reigning deity of Thiruvottriyur. More recently, the Kumbabishekam of the temple was conducted on July 6th 1998 with the participation of thousands of devotees.

Manicka Thiagar:

A devotee, Elelasingar was keeping some ornaments studded with precious stones to be given to the king. Two Shiva devotees came to him from Kasi. Lord asked Elelasingar to give the jewels to the devotees which he obeyed. When king came, and asked for the ornaments, Elelasingar stood dumbfounded when Lord came to his rescue and gave the precious jewels. Hence, Lord is praised as Manicka Thiagar.  Manickam-precious stones.

Theenda Thirumeni:

Serpent Vasuki performed penance in this place as advised by sage Upamanyu. Lord blessed Vasuki in the form of an anthill.  Vasuki merged with Lord.  Lord came to be praised as Padampakka Nathar. There is box-like cover above the Lord.  He cannot be touched and hence no abishek to Lord but to Avudayar the base peeta only.  Even the priests do not touch the Lord – Theenda Thirumeniyar- Lord untouched by human.

Vattapparai Amman:

After the injustice, she was subjected to at Madurai, Kannagi burnt Madurai City and came to this place with all fury. When she reached this place, Lord and Mother were playing dice. To soften her fury, Lord Shiva rolled the dice towards a well and made it fall into the well. Kannagi got down into the well to take the dice, when Lord Shiva closed the well with a rock round in shape. Kannagi came out in the form of a rock. Later, an idol was made and installed near this Vattapparai-round shaped rock, hence Ambica is praised as Vattapparai Amman. Acharya Sankara had also installed the Sri Chakra to soften the fury of Amman. Devotees pray here with turmeric and kumkum.

Kalianar Nayanmar:

A staunch devotee, Kalianar used to light lamps at the temple each day without fail. Lord wanted to test his piety and made him poor. As Kalianar had no money to buy oil for the lighting, he decided to cut his neck and light the lamp with his blood. Lord appeared before the devotee and made his devotion public and elevated him to the status of Nayanar. His Guru Puja is conducted in the Aadi Jyeshta star day when people use to light lamps in the shrine.

Pattinathar:

Pattinathar, a merchant from Poompuhar prayed to Lord Shiva seeking salvation. Lord appeared before him, gave a sugar cane and asked him to go places with it. Lord added saying that when Pattinathar felt sweetness at the end of the sugarcane, he would attain salvation. That happened in this place-Thiruvottriyur. Realizing his end, Pattinathar asked people to cover him with a bowl. Removing the bowl then, people found a Linga here. A temple for Pattinathar was built later here. Pattinathar is revered as Lord Shiva himself and pujas on Pradosha days, Shivarathri and Aipasi Annabishekam are performed in this shrine also. His Guru Puja is performed on the Uthrashada star day close to Poornima-full moon day in Aadi month-July-August.

Vadivudai Nayaki fed Pongal to Ramalinga Vallalar:

Mother Vadivudai Nayaki is all merciful. Vadalur Saint Ramalinga Vallalar was greatly devoted to Ambica. Once, he was late to return home after Arthajama Puja worship. The doors of the house were closed. He simply retired to bed outside the house without night dinner. Ambica came to Vallalar with Pongal and fed him.

No tax zone:

King Mandhadha was the ruler of this place represented by a chieftain. The king sent a notice to him demanding tax. There was a correction in the demand notice reading ‘barring Thiruvottriyur’ thus exempted this place from taxes. This is mentioned in the celebrated Saivite Epic Peria Puranam being the 12th part of Saivite Thirumurai collections.

Three Mothers:

Three Mother Devis grace the devotees around Chennai region as Icha, Kriya and Gnana Shaktis. Many years ago, a sculptor carried a big rock to make an idol and install it at Tirumangeeswarar temple in Melur. On the way, the rock split into three. Shocked sculptor was about to end himself when Mother Shakti appeared before him and directed him to make three idols in three forms and install her at Melur, Thiruvottriyur and Tirumullaivayil. The idol installed in Thiruvottriyur represents Gnana Shakti, the second at Melur 15 km from here named Thiruvudai Nayaki represents Itcha Shakti and the third at Tirumullaivayil 25 km from the place named Kodi Idai Nayaki represents Kriya Shakti. Worshipping the three Ambicas on the Poornima-full moon day at morning, midday and evening (in a single day) rewards the devotees manifold benefits. These three temples are open for the devotees throughout the day.

Other Names:

The place is praised by names as Aadhipuri, Poongoil, Shivaloka on earth.