Mahadevar Temple, Mahadevamalai, Kankuppam – Legends
Mahananda Siddha:
Mahananda
Siddha was born in Dharmapuri district on December 6, 1930. For some time, he
was engaged in the pleasant-smelling turmeric trade. At the age of thirty-five,
he undertook renovation work in many temples in Tamil Nadu under the
inspiration of Lord Shiva and started feeding the poor (Annadhanam) at
Lokuvakulam Bharadhwajeeswarar temple of Kalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh. On the
midnight of December 25, 2002, Lord Siva appeared before Mahananda and said,
"You
are very fortunate in this life; You are a siddha with a boon to live for a
thousand years; Go to Mahadeva Mount and live in a cave and worship Me and
protect the devotees".
Lord
Shiva disappeared after that. As commanded by the God, Mahananda Siddha reached
Mahadeva mount. As Lord Shiva appeared again before Mahananda Siddha he said:
"You
should brush your teeth and take bath only on the first day of Chithirai; you
should not seek alms from anyone; all the wealth will be heaped here; you
should protect all the living creatures in this mountain from disease and
suffering; from now on you should not eat food to satisfy your hunger or drink
water to quench your thirst".
After
giving this advice Lord Shiva disappeared. One can see the form on the head of
Mahadeva Swami is similar to the serpent with five heads on Lord Shiva’s head.
Mahananda siddha worships the idol with flowers that spread fragrance and
leaves with good smell. He is a siddha who can meditate by lying on the fire. It
is true that we cannot live without food. But Mahananda siddha has demonstrated
that it is possible to live without taking food. It is a matter of wonder to
learn that this great siddha has not taken food or water for many number of
years.
Lord Shiva darshan to a Merchant, a Shiva Devotee:
Legend
has it that the merchant, an ardent devotee of Siva, prayed for his darshan and
was asked to go to Kalahasti on Maha Shivaratri day. The merchant started the
journey and reached a place called K.V. Kuppam (Keezh Vazhi Thunai Kuppam) and
made enquiries about the route to Kalahasti. He learnt that he was far away
from Kalahasti and the day was Maha Shivaratri. An old man approached the
crestfallen trader promising to show him the Lord. The two reached a hill and
the old man turned out to be Siva, who ordained the devotee to build a temple
there. The village from where the trader was met by came to be called Keezh
Vazhi Thunai Kuppam.
