Gangai Amman Temple, Gudiyatham – Legends
Legend of Renukadevi:
Gangai
Amman temple is connected with the legend of Padavedu Sri Renugambal temple.
According to the legend, Sage Jamadagni was performing Thapas in the forest.
His wife Renukadevi, who was a Pathivritha, used to go to the nearby river,
make a pot instantly out of the sand in the banks and fetch water for the
Rishi’s daily pooja. Such were her powers. Once when Renukadevi went to the
river and when she was about to fill the water, she happened to see in the
water, a reflected image of a handsome Gandharva, flying on top. He was too
handsome, which made Sri Renukadevi’s thought stumble a moment. With this, her
sanctity of being a Pathivritha was spoiled and the sand pot broke into pieces.
She tried again and again to make another pot to fetch water, but failed.
Knowing
this, Sage Jamadagni got furious with her and called his son Sage Parasurama
and ordered him to chop off her head. Rishi Parasurama, who is an ardent
disciple and obedient son of Jamadagni, obeyed his order and went chasing his
mother with his weapon. Renukadevi, frightened of being killed by her own son,
went and hid herself inside a Chandal’s house, where the Chandal’s wife came
forward to rescue Renukadevi and tried to stop Sage Parasurama. Parasurama got
angry with the lady and chopped off both the lady and Renukadevi’s head.
Sage
Parasurama went to Sage Jamadagni and told him that he had fulfilled the wish
of his father. Jamadagni was so happy with his son and was willing to grant him
a boon of his choice. Sage Parasurama humbly said that he wanted his mother up
and alive again. Sage granted his wish and told him to fix the chopped head to
the body of his mother to get her alive. Sage Parasurama went back to the
Chandal’s house and by mistake, fixed the head of the Renukadevi on the Chandal
lady’s body. Sri Renukadevi, came alive with the Chandal lady’s body and her
own head.
Koundinya Mahanadhi:
Koundinya
Mahanadhi river is believed to be the Ganges itself which came down to earth
with the prayers of a Saint by name Koundinya Maharishi, who was a disciple of
Sage Vasishtar. The legend has it that the Koundinya Rishi, to free himself
from his sins came to this place, prayed Lord and brought the Ganges to flow
through this place and worshipped Lord Shiva in this village (called
Karuppuleeswarar).
Gudiyatham:
The name
of the town Gudiyatham has arrived from the word ‘Kudiyetram’ which in Thamizh
means ‘surging population’. It is said that, Kulothunga Chozha cleared some
forest, made people settle here and named the place as ‘Kudiyetra Nallur’,
which is believed to be the ancient name of this town.
Jayamkonda Chathurvedhi Mangalam:
This
place also was called as ‘Jayamkonda Chathurvedhi Mangalam, as the king
Kulothunga Chozhan donated this place after his victory over parts of Thondai
Mandalam regions. Even today, the majority population of this town belongs to a
community called ‘Sengunthar’ who were integral part of Chola army.