Thiruvetteeswarar Temple, Triplicane – Legends
Thiruvetteeswarar:
During his pilgrimage, Arjuna struck a swine which was
also shot at simultaneously by Lord Shiva in the guise of a hunter. Lord Shiva
claimed the animal as his prize. Arjuna countered the claim. In the battle that
followed between the two, Arjuna struck the Lord. Lord appeared before him bleeding
and smiling. Arjuna fell at the feet of the Lord and begged his pardon. Lord
presented Arjuna the Pasupathastra missile for which he undertook the
pilgrimage. Continuing his pilgrimage, he found a Swayambu Linga in this place,
installed and worshipped.
As the Lord granted darshan to Arjuna in the guise of a
hunter, he is named Parthaprakara Linga and Thiruvetteeswarar. To make amends
for his act of beating the Lord, Arjuna was born as Kannappa in the next birth
and offered his eyes to Lord Shiva, blessed and elevated to the status of
Nayanmars. Remembering this event, Kannappa is taken in procession on the
Mrigashirsha star day in the month of Thai (January-February).
Rahu
Kethu Parihara Sthalam:
During the churning of the milk ocean, a demon Swarbanu
cunningly sat among the Devas and succeeded in getting and consuming the
nectar. This was brought to the notice of Lord Vishnu by Sun and Moon. Lord Vishnu
struck him with the spoon used for serving the nectar. He fell down in two
pieces. The head joined the body of a snake. The remaining body joined the head
of a snake and also got the status of planets with the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Thus, the demon got two forms as Rahu and Ketu.
To revenge Sun and Moon, these planets devour them for a
brief period sometimes, what we call solar and Lunar eclipse. They are depicted
such in the temple on wall in the mandapam opposite the sanctum sanctorum,
covered by silver. Devotees offer the related pulses for these planets – Ulundu
for Rahu and Kollu or horse gram for Ketu to Lord Thiruvetteeswarar with
Mandhara and red flowers.
Mother
Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is said that Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva
here to have the Hand of Lord Vishnu. Supporting this story, Mother Mahalakshmi
is seen performing abishek to Lord Shiva depicted in a pillar sculpture.
Parvathi
performed penance here:
Goddess Parvati is said to have performed penance here.
Parasurama
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Parasurama is said to have prayed to Shiva here to
offset the sin he attained by killing his mother.
Thiruvetteeswarar
& Shenbagambigai:
It was believed that the temple was built during 7th
century and damaged completely. It was observed that a cow was milking on
a particular place near shenbaga Odai (Now called as Shenbaga Theertham).
People excavated and found there was a Shiva lingam with a scar on it’s top (hence
called as Thiruvetteeswarar). The temple was reconstructed latter and Ambal
moortham was found in the Shenbaga Theertham and called Shenbagambigai.
Indra
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Indra puja is performed in the temple during Purattasi
(September-October) as Indira worshipped Lord here, with the shrine decorated
with vegetables, fruits and sweet preparations.