Virudhagireeshwarar Temple, Virudhachalam – Literary
Mention
The temple is praised by the three Saivite Saints Gnanasambandhar,
Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns. This is the 41st Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9th Sthalam in Nadu
Naadu. This Paadal Petra Sthalam has been praised by Sundarar (3
pathigams), Gnanasambandhar (7 pathigams) and Appar (1 pathigam).
Sundarar stayed at this Shivasthalam for a few days and
composed Pathigams and
got 12000 gold coins from Lord Shiva. When Sundarar desired that these gold
coins are to be delivered to him at Tiruvarur, Lord Shiva asked him to drop the
coins in the Manimuthar river which flows near the temple. Sundarar did so and
when he went to Tiruvarur, he got the gold coins from the famous Kamalalayam
Tank at Tiruvarur.
There are many hymns sung by Tamil Pandits praising this place, Lord and Ambica. Peria Nayaki Ammai Pathigam, Kshethra Kovai Venba,
Pazhamalai Nathar Andhadhi, Periyanayagi Virutham, Bikshadana Navamani Malai,
Guru Darishana Pathigam, Pillai Thamizh are a few to mention. Saint Arunagiriar
had sung 10 Thirupugazh hymns on Lord Muruga of this temple. The temple is also
praised by Kumaradeva, Sivapprakasar, Vadalur Vallalar Ramalinga Adigalar in
their hymns.