Marundeeswarar Temple (Idaiyattrunathar Temple), T.
Edayar – Legends
Sukha
Brahma Rishi got relieved of his curse here:
Another legend associated with this place is that of the
sage Sukha Brahma Rishi. He is believed to have been an expert in changing forms.
Once he took the form of a parrot and flew to Mount Kailash where he saw Lord
Shiva imparting the knowledge of “Shiva Gnanam” to Goddess Parvathi. Curious to
learn the Shiva Gnanam, the sage, in his parrot form, flew towards Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvathi. Upon noticing him, Goddess Parvathi cursed him to be born
on earth. The sage begged Lord Shiva for pardon. Lord Shiva informed him that
he would be born to Sage Veda Vyasa and he would live in Thirumaruthanthurai
(Idayaru).
Lord Shiva further advised him to do penance under the
“Marutha” tree to be absolved of this sin and to seek solvation. However,
during his period on earth, he would have human body with the face of a parrot.
“Sukha” in Sanskrit means parrot. It is believed that on the day of the Swathi
nakshatra, Lord Shiva gave dharisanam to Sage Sukha Brahma Rishi and taught
astrology (Jodhidam) to him here. Another interesting aside is that Sukha
Brahma Rishi was also an ardent devotee of Lord Ram. He was blessed with Lord
Ram’s darshan at the Yoga Ramar temple at Nedungunam. As Sukha Brahma Rishi is
believed to have worshipped the lord here, there are a lot of parrots in this
place.
Vinayaga
in place of Lord Murugan in Somaskanda Form:
Another legend indicates that Somaskanda depiction is usually indicated with child Skanda
(Muruga) depicted between Shiva and Parvathi. This temple has Bala Vinayaga in
place of Skanda in the Somaskanda image.
Agasthya
Lingam:
Sage Agasthiyar is believed to have visited this place
during his pilgrimage. He is also believed to have been installed a lingam and
worshipped it. This lingam is called the “Agasthya Lingam”. Sage Agasthiyar
idol can also be seen here.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Lord Brahma, Sapta Madakkal, Saint
Sundaramurthy Nayanar and Saint Marai Gnana Sambandhar have worshipped Lord
Shiva in this temple.
Birthplace
of Gnana Sambandhar:
This is the birth place of the Saivite guru Marai Gnana
Sambandar. He is the third of the four “Santhana Kuravars”. It is believed that
he was blessed by Lord Vinayakar (in his Polla Pillayar form) here. At a very
young age, he is believed to have moved to Pennadam since it is the birth place
of Saint Meikandar (the first Santhana Kuravar), He is known as Maruthai Marai Gnanasambandhar
and Kadanthai Marai Gnanasambandhar. Kadanthai is the historical name of
Pennadam. There is another shrine for Lord Vinayakar here which can be seen amid
a farm at about one kilometer from this temple. It is believed that this is the
Vinayakar that blessed saint Marai Gnanasambandhar. This Vinayakar is also
praised as Maruthai Pillayar and Gnanasambandha Pillayar.
Sundaramurthy
Nayanar equated this place to various other Shiva Temples:
When Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar rendered his Pathigam
in this temple, he mentioned various other famous Shiva temples and said that
this temple is as good as them.
Marriage
Parihara Sthalam:
In this temple, Lord Shiva is facing west and Goddess
Parvathi is facing east, as if they are exchanging garlands. Hence this
temple is famous with devotees seeking wedding boon. Devotees facing prolonged
delays in their marriage proposals worship the lord here and take the garlands
exchanged between the God and Goddess to their homes. It is believed that doing
this will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.