Akashapureeswarar Temple, Kaduveli – Legends
Birthplace
of Kaduveli Siddhar:
This is the sacred soil that gave birth to Kaduveli
Siddhar. Kaduveli means open space. He taught people wisdom he learnt. He
performed penance for darshan of Lord Shiva. Lord appeared before him and
gifted skills in Siddhis – an art of 8 branches known as Ashtama Siddhis.
Akashapureeswarar:
Of the elements covering the earth – Akash space,
Vayu-wind, Agni-fire, Appu-water and Prithvi-Earth, this temple is dedicated to
Akash, hence the Lord is known as Akashapureeswarar.
Kaduveli:
The temple was built by a Chola king. The king named the
place after the Siddha – Kaduveli.
Nandhi,
Situated outside the Temple Tower:
When Lord Shiva gave dharshan to the Siddhar, Nandhi Devar
stood outside the temple and so Nandhi is now present outside the Nandhi
mandapam.
Pooradam
Nakshathra Sthalam:
The belief is that this temple is engulfed with the
brilliant energy in the form of light from space of Poorada Nakshathra. Since
Kaduveli means open space, and the open space begins at the edge of the cosmic
rays Kaduveli where the temple exists is believed to be the edge of cosmic
space. Lord Shiva created a magnificent light at Kaduveli to reveal his
existence at the Kaduveli Temple in the form of space. The Poorada Nakshathra
remain serving Lord Akashapureeswarar. It is believed that entire deities
residing in space and Lord Vastu worship Lord Akashapureeswarar on Poorada Nakshathra
days.