Vaseeswarar Temple, Tirupaasur – Legends
Association
of Karikala Valavan with this Temple:
Karikala Valavan is associated with this temple. As per
Hindu legend, the place was once a bamboo forest. A cow at this place was
pouring it milk on a mound in an elevated place. The shepherd informed the Karikala
about the event and the king dug the place with a tool called Vasi. Blood was
oozing out of the place and the king and the troops were taken aback. The
enemies left a pot of snakes and a snake charmer came and rescued the king.
Shiva appeared in the dreams of the Karikala that night and informed him that
the snake charmer was none other than Shiva himself. The Karikala was much
pleased and built a temple housing the Linga found in the
place. The tilted feature of the image in the temple is believed to have been
caused by the tool Vasi.
Lord
Shiva can be worshipped here with Thazhampoo Flower on Navarathri:
Another legend is that once, while Vishnu and Brahma contested for superiority, Shiva appeared as a
flame, and challenged them to find his source. Brahma took the form of a swan,
and flew to the sky to see the top of the flame, while Vishnu became the
boar Varaha, and sought its base. The scene is called Lingothbavar,
and is represented in the western wall at the sanctum of most Shiva temples.
Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find the source, and while Vishnu conceded his
defeat, Brahma lied and said he had found the pinnacle. In punishment, Shiva
ordained that Brahma would never have temples on earth in his worship. Thazhampoo,
the flower which was helping Brahma, was also punished for lying about Shiva.
The flower was cursed that it won't be used during the worship of Shiva, but an
exception was given during Shivaratri festival in the
temple. Worshipping the Lord in this puja would relieve the devotee from the
sin of speaking miles and from arrogant traits.
Thangathalipuram:
Mother Parvathi had to be born on earth as cursed by
Lord Shiva as she went to attend the Yajna of her father Daksha against his
wish. She came to Earth and performed severe penance to join the Lord
again. Lord came here saying “Oh! My Sweetheart.” Hence, Mother
is named Than Kathali – My Sweetheart. People pray to Mother for
conjugal unity. The place is also called Thangathalipuram after the name
of Mother. It is believed that the Goddess worshipped Lord Shiva here and
joined him to bless the devotees at this temple.
Swarna
Kali:
A chieftain of this place, Kurumban by name failed to
pay his tax dues to the Chola king. Kurumban was a Kali devotee. When
the king invaded on him for recovering the dues, the chieftain prayed to Kali
who defeated the king and his army. The king came to Lord Shiva for help. Lord
sent Nandhi to control and bind Kali. Nandhi defeated Kali and bound her
with golden chain. Remembering this event, Swarna Kali has her shrine in
the temple, her legs bound. Evening pujas are performed to Kali on Full
Moon days.
Vinayaka
Mandapam:
For killing demons, Lord Vishnu lost 11 type of wealth
of the 16 under his rule. To regain them, he prayed to Lord Shiva and as
advised, installed 11 Vinayakas here, according to one story. Remembering
this event, there are 11 Vinayakas in a small mandapam called Vinayaka Mandapam. Three
of them are facing east. Behind is a Big Vinayaka among small ones on both
sides. Planet Kethu is nearby. Lord Vinayaka is he deity for this planet.
The other story attached to this mandapam is that it was
a court convened by Lord Vinayaka to enquire Lord Shiva for bypassing him when
he marched on the Tripuranthakas. As Shiva proceeded without worshipping
him, Vinayaka broke the axis of Shiva’s Rath then. He allowed Shiva to
proceed after the enquiry and setting right the axis.
Lord
Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Another story goes like this. Demons Madhu
and Kaidaba stole the Vedas from Lord Brahmma and hid them under the
sea. Brahmma could not continue His creation work in the absence of
the Vedas. Lord Vishnu came to his rescue, incarnated as Matsya –Fish,
went deep into sea, recovered the Vedas and killed the demons. The killing
left their evil marks on Lord Vishnu who prayed to Lord Shiva for a
remedy. Lord Shiva advised to worship him in this place for removal of
evil effects. Vishnu followed the advice and got remedied. Lord Shiva
came out as a Swayambu. It is said that Lord Vishnu took bath here in Soma
Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva to get relieved of his Dhosham.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Surya, Chandra, Parvathi, Markandeya, Brighu, Roma
Rishi, Bharadhwaja, Kaashyapa, Vasishtar, Koushika, Naradha, Sugar, Abhimanyu, Viswamithra
and Vyasa have worshipped Sri Vaseeswarar here.
Etymology:
Bamboo is called “Pasu – Moongil” in Tamil. Since the
lord here is believed to have been found in a bamboo forest, he is named “Sri
Pachura Nathar” and the place is called “Thirupachur”.