Sangameshwarar Temple, Bhavani – Legends
Sangameshwarar:
According to the Sthala purana, sage Parasara began his
penance after hiding underground the small quantity of Amrit, the divine
nectar, which he wanted to preserve for the welfare of the world. However,
four asuras attempted to steal the nectar. The sage then prayed for divine
intervention to save it. Shiva, it is said, chased away the demons. As the
sage attempted to retrieve the pot containing the ambrosial liquid, he found a
Shiva Linga in it, much to his joy. When he tried to lift it, there sprang
forth from it a jet of water.
The stream jointed the rivers Bhavani and Cauvery, and
inundated the whole area. As the jet of water from the Shiva Lingam
originated from the ambrosial pot, it took the name of Amudha. The place
where the three streams united became Mukkuddal or Sangamam or Kooduthurai, and
the Lord, whose image was installed by sage Parasara, came to be known as
Sangameshwarar.
Alagesan:
Kubera, Lord of Wealth was gifted with an aircraft in
recognition of his devotion to Lord Shiva. While visiting all the Shiva temples
in various places in the country, he saw an Ilandhai tree on the banks of
Cauvery where the deer, tiger, cow, elephant, snake and the rat were drinking
water without any sign of enmity it was a place inhabited by holy men,
gandharvas and such good people. Kubera heard a voice from the sky saying that
the Vedas came to the Earth on this place near the Ilandhai Tree and there was
a Shivalinga beneath it and advised him to worship the Lord and reap the
benefits. The Lord appeared before Kubera. At his request, the Lord is named as
Alagesan.
Goddess
Vedha Nayagi saved British Collector William Garrow:
In the year 1804, William Garrow, a British Collector of
Coimbatore district, visited Bhavani, camping in the Traveler’s Bungalow. One night, when he was asleep, a small girl woke him
up and got him out of the Bungalow. Once they were out, the Bungalow collapsed.
Shocked by this incident, the Collector turned to thank the girl but to find,
she wasn't there. The next day, the priest on duty informed him that it was
Bhavani Vedanayaki Amman, who saved his life. He bore three holes in the temple
wall exactly opposite to Vedanayaki Amman shrine and torched these holes to
pray the goddess. He donated ivory cradle to the goddess with his signature on
the frame dated 11/01/1804. The holes and the ivory cradle are present even now
and are taken care with caution.
1008
Shivalingas under the earth:
This is the place where rivers Kaveri, Bhavani and
Amirtha (invisible) meet. People perform rites here to satisfy their departed
elders. The other speciality in Bhavani is that when dead bodies are burnt, the
skulls do not scatter as generally found in graveyards at other places. It is
said that this is because there are 1008 Shivalingas under the earth.
Origin
of Vedas:
It is said that the four Vedas came into being on this
soil.
Triveni
Sangamam of South India:
This place is called as Dakshina Prayag or Triveni
Sangamam of South India for the river Amudham that emerged out of the nectar,
which was given to Sage Parasarar, at this place by the Devas, joins the two
rivers invisibly (Andhar Vahini).
Tirunaa:
Thirugnana Sambandar refers this place as Tirunaa, which
means those who visit this temple will be blessed with a hassle-free life.
Vani:
This place also has the epithet Vani in Sangam
literature such as Purananuru, Agananuru and Pathitru Pathu.
Padhuma
Giri:
This place is also known as Padhuma Giri which is
surrounded by Naga Giri, Veda Giri, Sanga Giri and Mangala Giri.
Gayathri
Lingam:
Another legend associated with this place is that Sage Viswamithra
is said to have installed another lingam on the banks of the river and
worshipped it by chanting the Gayathri Mantram. Hence this lingam is called
Gayathri Lingam.
Jwarahareswarar:
Tamizh history states that when the Saivite saint-poet, Tirugnanasambandar,
one among the 63 Nayanmars and the third amongst the top 4, visited this holy
site, a sudden fever and disease gripped his disciples. Sambandhar and his Adiyars
(disciples) were relieved from this illness only after praying to Jwarahareswarar
here.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Kuberan, Rama, Arjuna, Viswamithra and Parasarar are
said to have worshipped here.