Mahudeshwarar Temple, Kodumudi – Legends
Magudeswarar:
According
to the legend there was a competition between Adhiseshan (the serpent on whom
Mahavishnu rests) and Vayu (Lord of the Winds) to determine who is stronger.
Lord Indiran prescribed certain rules to conduct the competition. They put
Mount Meru at the centre and it was held tightly by Adhiseshan, Vayu blew the
wind with all his might to push Adhiseshan. In the ensuing struggle, Meru’s
peak (Magudam) split into 5 pieces and fell in five different places.
It is
believed that the pieces came down as 5 different gem stones – Red Corel at
Thiruvannamalai, Ruby (Manickam) at Rathinagiri (Thiruvatpokki), Emerald
(Maragatham) at Engoimalai, Sapphire (Neelam) at Pothigaimalai and Diamond at
Kodumudi. As per legend the Diamond that feel at Kodumudi became the
Swayambulinga (self-manifested lingam) and the rest of the stones became hills.
Since the origin of the lingam is from the Meru, the lord is called
Magudeswarar.
Kaviri Kanda Vinayagar:
This is
the place where river Cauvery was relieved of the curse of Sage Agasthiar (he
had captured her in a Kamandalam). Vinayagar, at the behest of Lord Shiva, took
the form of a white crow and dropped down the Kamandalam here liberating the
Cauvery to continue her flow. Surprisingly, in support of this legend, the
river Cauvery which flows southwards till here takes an exact 90-degree East
turn here. The Vinayagar here in the inner pariharam of Shiva shrine is named
as Kaviri Kanda Vinayagar. It seems there is a rock in the middle of the river
here that has the rock cut image of this legend.
Hand Prints on Lingam:
The
legend of this temple is connected to the sage Agastya. Once the sage noticed that the idol was disappearing.
he caught the idol in his hand and the part in his hand remained to be
seen. Also, Agasthiar got the marriage Dharshan of Lord Shiva here.
Pandikkodumudi:
It is
also said that one of the Pandya Prince’s fingers were not growing enough. The
King prayed to this Lord after taking a dip in the river and soon his son’s
fingers grew to normal size. To show his gratitude, the King constructed the
three main towers (Gopurams) and renovated this temple. Because of the
association with Pandya kingdom, this place is also called Pandikkodumudi.
Bharadhwaja got Dharshan of Lord Shiva’s Dance:
Bharadhwaja
got the Dharshan of Lord Shiva’s dance here and there is also a Bharadhwaja
Theertham inside the Temple.
Naga Dosha Parihara Sthalam:
This is
a place for Naga worship. Majority of the devotees come here seeking relief
from adverse effects of serpent planets.
Lord Brahma & Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Brahma (in
the form of Vanni Tree) and Vishnu who are enshrined here, are said to
have worshipped Shiva (Magudeswarar).
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Lord
Shiva was worshipped by Garudan and Pandu here.