Sivakkozhuntheswarar Temple, Theerthanagiri – Legends
Thiru
Thinai Nagar:
As per the Sthala Puranam, a farmer called Periyan and his
wife lived in this village. They had the habit of taking food only after
offering it to a Shiva devotee. One day, Lord Shiva decided to test their
faith. That day, the couple could not find anyone to offer the food to. Periyan
came to his field to ask one of his workers to come to his house so that he
could make his offering. Surprisingly, he could not find anyone in the field.
He waited for some time for them to return.
After some time, Periyan saw an old man pass by and he
requested him to come and have food. The old man said that he could not accept
food without earning it. He offered to some work in the field and then accept
the food as wage. The farmer asked him to plough the field. Once the old man
started ploughing the field, the farmer went back home to fetch some food for
him. When he returned with the food, he was astonished to see that the crops
were fully grown and ready for harvest.
Periyan and his wife served the food for the old man
under the Kondrai tree. After he had finished eating, they asked him how he was
able to do such a miraculous thing. The old man disappeared before answering.
Thereafter Lord Shiva appeared on his bull mount (Rishabha Vahanam) with
Goddess Parvathy and gave dharisanam to the couple. The lord further informed
them that he had only come there in the form of an old man.
After worshiping the lord, Periyan and his wife
requested Lord Shiva to stay back in the place and bless them. Lord Shiva
stayed back as a Swayambu Lingam in this place under the Kondrai tree. The lord
here is named as Sivakozhundeeswarar. Since the Lord Shiva himself is believed
to have ploughed the field, sowed millet seeds (Thinai) and made it ready for
harvest, this place gets the name Thiru Thinai Nagar.
Jambava
Theertham:
It is believed that Jambavan, the king of the bears,
worshiped Lord Shiva here and received his blessing. This temple’s tank is
named after him - Jambava Theertham. It is believed that taking a dip in this
tank will absolve you off your sins.
Veeraseran
got cured of his skin disease:
Another legend associated with this temple is that of a
king named Veeraseran who was suffering from leukoderma. Once he had come to
this temple for worshiping the lord. His dog, who was also suffering from skin
diseases, had also come with him. His dog accidentally fell in the temple’s
tank. When it came out, its skin diseases had disappeared. Noticing this, the
king decided to take a dip in the tank. To his surprise, when he came out, he
was cured of his leukoderma. He worshiped the lord and conveyed his gratitude. It
is believed that thereafter King Veeraseran constructed this temple. His idol
can also be seen in the temple corridors.
Murari:
Perumal worshipped Shiva here and killed a demon called
Murasuran and he hence came to be known as Murari.
Place
for Salvation:
Durvasa cursed Bhringi Rishi and he received salvation
after worshipping Shiva here.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is said Vishnu, Periyan, Pathanjali, Vyagrapada, Brahma
and Jambavan worshipped the lord here.
Pathanjali
and Vyagrapada rishi visit to this Temple:
Pathanjali and Vyagrapada rishi came to get the lord
from here in bridegroom attire.
