Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort – Legends
Thayumanavar:
According
to Hindu legend, a pregnant woman named Rathnavathi was an ardent devotee of
Shiva. While nearing labor, she requested her mother to come over. Her mom
could not reach on account of heavy floods in river Cauvery. As delivery time
came closer, Rathnavathi prayed to Shiva. Shiva, moved by the devotion of
Rathnavathi, took the form of Rathnavathi's mother and helped with her smooth
delivery. After the delivery, Shiva vanished and Rathnavathi's mother who
arrived later. The family came to know that it was Shiva who attended to the
delivery.
Henceforth,
Shiva in the temple came to known as Thayumanaswami, meaning the Lord who could
act like a Mother. The temple obtained the name from the presiding deity, Thayumanaswami. Shiva
disguised himself as a mother for a pregnant lady, leading to the
name Thayumanavar, meaning the one who became a mother. This incident is
also celebrated as a special event called "Chettipenn Maruthuvam" on
the fifth day of the Chithirai Festival at the temple.
Tirishiramalai:
According
to Hindu mythology, the city Tiruchirappalli derives its name from legend
associated with the Thayumanaswami Temple. Demon Tirishira (demon with three
heads) was on penance on Lord Shiva. Though many years passed, Lord Shiva
delayed his darshan to test his purity. He threw two of his heads in fire
and was about to throw the third, Lord appeared before him and restored his two
heads. As requested by him, Lord Shiva agreed to stay here in the name of
Thirisira Nathar (based on demon Tirishira story). The place came to be
known as Tirishiramalai, now changed as Trichy.
Lord Shiva caused Sand Rain to punish Chola King:
The
region was ruled by a Chola king having Woraiyur as his capital. During
this time, Sarama Munivar created a flower garden here and was worshipping Lord
with Sevvanthi flowers. A trader stole the flowers from this garden and
gave them to the king. As the king became very fond of these flowers, he
asked the trader to supply them to him daily. The trader continued his
theft business. This caused disturbance to the Shiva Puja of Sarama
Munivar. His appeal to the king was in vain. Munivar appealed to Lord
Shiva who looked at the direction of the court of the king and caused sand rain
in the place. The king realized his wrong doing, prayed to Lord Shiva and
was pardoned.
Contest between Adisesha and Vayu:
A
furious contest arose between Adisesha and Vayu to decide the supremacy of
their prowess. The condition was to shake violently Mount
Kailash. Defeating Adisesha, when Vayu broke the mount, the top of
the Kailasam was disturbed by Vayu (air) and thrown in three places and this is
considered one among them and that is why this is called Dakshina Kailasam. The
other two places are Kalahasthi and Tirikonamalai (Srilanka).
Shrine turned west from east:
The
shrine was previously facing east. As Lord turned west to punish the king
who stole the Sevvanthi flowers and caused disturbance to the puja of Sarama
Munivar, the shrine stood permanently facing west leaving the flag post behind.
During the puja times, the music and Thevaram recitals are followed only from
eastern side behind the shrine.
Kediliappa Pillai named his son after the Lord:
One
Kediliappa Pillai was the treasurer – accountant of King Vijaya Raghunatha
Chokkar during his rule of the region. Pillai was a staunch Shiva devotee
and was gifted with a handsome son. Pillai named him Thayumanavar after the
name of the Lord. The boy showed all signs of brilliance in education and
characters. The king retained him in his services. He served the king for
a long time, while his heart was with the Lord.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sage
Agasthya, Arjuna, Hanuman, Rathnavathi, Rama, Saptha Kanniar (seven virgins)
and Saptha Rishis (seven sages) are supposed to have worshipped Shiva in this
place.
Sevvanthi Nathar:
Sarama
muni (sage) worshipped Shiva with Sevvanthi flowers (chrysanthemums) brought
from Nagaloka, the abode of the Nagas or serpents. So, the Lord is called Sevvanthi
Nathar.
Thiri Sikarapuram:
There
are also stories that since there are three peaks on Rock Fort, occupied by
three Gods Shiva, Parvathi & Vinayakar (Uchi Pillaiyar), the place was
called Thiri-sikarapuram and
later called Tirisirapuram.