Then Thiru Aalavai Temple – Legends
Nindra Seer Nedumaran:
During
the mid-7th century, Tamilnadu, Madurai in particular was the centre of an intense
religious battle between Jainism and Saivism, the former indulging in many tactics
to influence their philosophy with political backing engaging themselves to crush
Saivism. King Koon Pandiyan (hunchback Pandiyan) embraced Jainism while Queen
Mangaiyarkkarasi and Prime Minister Kulachirayar were staunch Saivites. The queen
prayed to Lord Shiva to turn her husband to Saivism. Koon Pandiyan could not
bear the heat in the body when Jain Monks tried their best with their Tantras
to cure him.
Lord
Shiva appeared in the dream of the queen and advised her to perform Abishekam
to the Lord of Then Tiru Aalavai and bring the sacred ashes blessed with the
hymns (Tiruneettru Pathigam) of Tirugnanasambandar and apply it on the body of
the king. The queen followed the directions of the Lord. The king was totally
cured and turned back to Saivism knowing the grace of Lord Shiva. His hunchback
also straightened and became majestic of a king. He surrendered to the feet of
the Lord. From then, he is called as Nindra Seer Nedumaran.
Then Tiru Aalavai:
There is
a chapter in Tiruvilayadal Puranam describing the way to Madurai whose borders
were erased due to a tsunami then. King Vangia Sekhara Pandya prayed to Lord
Shiva to reconstruct Madurai in its original form and size. Lord Shiva threw a long
snake named Aalavai which circled around the whole Madurai city. The mouth and
the tail of the snake met at a place where the temple now stands on the southern
(Then) part, hence the name Then Tiru Aalavai.
Tiruneettru Pathigam:
This is
the place where Saivite Saint Tirugnanasambandar sung the glory of the sacred
ash – Tiruneettru Pathigam.
Vaidhyanatha:
Lord here
is known also as Vaidhyanatha – doctor of doctors – as He graces his darshan to
the devotee when Yama approaches them and free them from the fear of death. When
Yama comes to take the life of others, he also prays to Lord for his own safety
and takes the sacred ashes wearing it on his body.
Lord Yama worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Lord
Yama, the God of Death, worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.