Chandramouleeswarar Temple, Thazhamangai – Legends
Chandramouleeswarar:
When Chandran was afflicted with Daksha’s curse for
being partial to Rohini, He came along with his wife to this Thazha Vanam and
performed penance, though the area was infested with lot of snakes (even today,
in the villages in TN, people do not use Thazhampoo much as it is believed to
attract snakes). She got relief for her husband by this worship. Lord
took the third phase of the Moon and kept it on his Head. Hence, he is
called Chandramouleeswarar / Indusekharan / Chandrasekharan.
Thazha
Mangalam:
Once, this area was full of Thazha trees (Screw pine
flower) and hence came to be called Thazha Mangalam.
Moondram
Pirai Darshnam:
It is believed that on the sixth day of Navarathri (Sashti),
Parasakthi visits this temple in the company of another Sapthamadha, Mahendri (this
form of Mother is out of Indra and also known as Indrani). The darshan for
the Mothers in this Temple is called Moondram Pirai Darshnam.
Thazha
Mangai:
Sapthamadha, Mahendri bowed and prayed Lord Shiva here (bowing
in Tamil is called Tazh Panidhal). Hence, this place came to be called Thazha
Mangai.
Mother
appeared as an elderly mother to Nadha Sharma couple:
In this temple, Mother appeared as an elderly mother to
the Nadha Sharma couple during their visit here.
Mukthi
Sthalam:
One of the sayings of the Siddhas is “Chithirai Sadayam
Muthi Thara Thazhayam” (Worshipping the Lord on the Sadayam star of Chithirai
month ensures Mukthi). Hence having darshan of the Lord on that day which
falls in April-May and applying sandal paste to the Lord, is considered very
auspicious. This is believed to give contentment and happiness for three
generations.
Sandal
Alankaram:
When Rajarajan was constructing the Thanjavur Big
Temple, there was a problem in installing the Great Nandi. He consulted
Karuvurar, one of the 18 Siddhars. He came to this temple along with the King’s
family, prepared Sandal paste and arranged for Sandana Kaappu (Sandal decoration
of the Lord). The pleased Lord ensured that there was no further hurdle in
installing the Nandi in Thanjavur. The grateful King started visiting this
temple on every Sadayam (his birth star) and repeated the Sandal Alankaram. The
fact that his monumental work is viewed with awe even today, is enough proof
for the effectiveness of prayer in this temple.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Chandran, Chaya Devi, Agasthiyar and Rajaraja Chozhan
worshipped in this temple.
Parihara
Sthalam for eye related problems:
This is also Parihara Sthalam for eye related
problems. The affected person should come to this temple, grind the sandal
paste and arrange to decorate the Lord. He / She should also arrange for
decorating the Ambal with Thazhampoo. This is to be done on Sundays (if right
eye is affected) and Mondays (for left eye) after observing Mouna Vratham (total
silence). Locals believe that this ensures complete cure from the eye problems.
