Suddha Rathneswarar Temple, Ootathur – Legends
Suddha
Rathneswarar:
The original temple is believed
to be built during 7th Century A.D. The Temple was lost to times and
completely covered by sand and vegetations over it. Emperor Rajaraja Chola I
built Chozheeswarar Temple to the north side of Ootathur during 10th
Century. He used to visit this Temple quite often. Once, soldiers belonging to
Chola Army were clearing the path for the emperor Rajaraja Chola I visit to
Chozheeswarar Temple.
While clearing the bushes, one
of the soldiers noticed that his shovel hit some unknown object. Curious to
know about the object, he cleared the bush and found blood started oozing out
from the place. Surprised soldiers further cleared and found a Shiva Lingam
made of purest form of Ruby. Hence, Lord came to be called as Suddha
Rathneswarar. Emperor rushed to the place and ordered further excavations.
Excavations revealed an earlier
temple at this place. Emperor Rajaraja Chola converted the earlier ruined
temple into a grand edifice that exists today. The Temple was further renovated
by his son Rajendra Chola I and his grandson, Rajadhiraja Chola. There are more
than fifty inscriptions in this temple belonging to Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra
Chola I and Rajadhiraja Chola.
Brahma
Theertham:
Once, Lord Vishnu and Lord
Brahma contested
for superiority. To clear their doubts, both of them went to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva
took the form of a Linga – pillar of fire, which stretched from depths to
heights no one could see. The one between Brahma and Vishnu who could
reach either top or bottom would be declared greater. Brahma took the form of a
swan and flew to find the top while Vishnu took form of a boar to find the
bottom.
Many years passed and neither
found an end; Vishnu realized the greatness of Shiva and accepted defeat, but
Brahma tried his luck to trick Shiva. He asked the help of a Ketaki flower to
falsely testify that he had indeed seen the top end of the Linga. Ketaki flower
agreed to support Brahma. Lord Shiva was furious at this devious attempt and
cursed Brahma that he will never be worshipped. He also cursed the Ketaki
flower that it would not be used in his worship.
Lord Brahma begged forgiveness
to Lord Shiva. Merciful Lord Shiva advised told Brahma to worship him with
water from all the holy rivers in the world. Lord Brahma created a Theertham
with waters from all the holy rivers in the world in Ootathur. Since, Lord
Brahma created this Theertham, it came to be called as Brahma Theertham. This
Theertham is situated right in front of the sanctum. The place was named as
Oottathur after this Theertham (Ootru means spring in Tamil and Oor means
village/town in Tamil).
Lord Brahma used the water from
this Theertham for doing Abishekam to Lord Shiva and was relieved from his
curse. It is believed that the Theertham water is said to have medicinal
properties. Even, Emperor Rajaraja Chola used the water from this Theertham for
his medical ailments. This Theertham is perennial and water can be found
throughout the year. There is an underground tunnel from this Theertham connecting
this Temple with the Perumal Temple opposite to it. This tunnel is not in use presently.
Origin
of Nandiyaru:
There is another Nandi facing
east in Artha Mandapam apart from the usual Nandi. The story behind this Nandi
is interesting. As per mythology, there was an argument among the rivers Ganga,
Saraswathi, Narmada, Yamuna, Cauvery, Sindhu, and Tungabhadra about their
holiness. Unable to come to conclusion, they came to Suddha Rathneswarar and
sought his intervention to clear this argument.
Lord Shiva ordered Nandi to
drink up the waters of all seven rivers. As ordered, Nandi drank all the waters
from these rivers and took rest in the Artha Mandapam facing east. After a
while, only water from Ganges flowed out from Nandi mouth. The water from Nandi
mouth created a river and came to be called as Nandiyaru River.
Holier
than Kashi:
Legend has it once Emperor
Rajaraja Chola carrying his father (king Sundara Chola)'s Asthi to be immersed
in the Ganges in Kasi. He stopped overnight near the Nandi River for rest
and relaxation. Following day, the Asthi turned into fragrant flowers. At Kasi,
upon opening the urn, the flowers turned back to Asthi. Not willing to immerse
the Asthi at Kasi, he returned to the bank of Nandi river and immersed his
father's Asthi. Hence the saying: ''Kaasikku Veesam Kooda" implying
it is better to perform the last rites on the banks of the Nandi
river than in Kasi. It is believed that he built Kasi Viswanatha
Temple on the banks of the river in remembrance to this incident, but the
temple does not exist now.
Padalur:
One of the four famous Nayanmar,
Appar on his way to Ootathur reached Padalur and was astonished to notice the
entire path from Padalur to Ootathur was covered with Shiva Lingams. He decided
not to set his foot over Shiva Lingams, he sang about Suddha Rathneswarar in
his hymns from Padalur itself. Hence, Appar sang his hymns from this place, it
came to be called as Padalur.
Indra
worshipped Lord Nataraja of this Temple:
It is believed that Indra
worshipped Lord Nataraja of this Temple to regain his lost position and power.
