Kandazheeswarar Temple, Kundrathur – Legends
Kandazheeswarar:
Beginning his pilgrimage from
the temples on the banks of holy Vaigai and the those on the banks of Cauvery
and worshipping at the two temples on the banks of Palaru, divine poet
Sekkizhar was nearing a place on the banks of River Kushasthalai. He saw a
great Shiva temple. It was a temple belonging to the Chola period. The soil was
so fertile with high yields of plantains and coconuts. It was a hilly region
with cool pleasant climate.
The poet decided to stay there
for a while and performed penance. The poet devotee lost himself in penance on
his Lord and surrendered totally at his feet. Lord Shiva granted darshan to the
poet-devotee relieving him of all ego and other material attachments. He called
Lord Kandazheeswarar and fell at his feet. Kandhu means attachment and Azhi
means removal of attachment – Lord who removed material attachments – Kandazheeswarar.
Lord Murugan installed the Shiva Linga:
As per the legend, Lord
Subramanya (Murugan) stayed for some time on the hills of Kundrathur while
travelling from Thiruporur to Thiruthani. He also installed a Shiva Linga in
this site. That Shiva Linga is the one which is found as the presiding deity of
this temple. Hence, he is called Kandazheeswarar.
Kandhu:
In pure Tamil Kandhu stands
for tree. The story is there used to be a very ancient tree right at the spot where the Linga is today. People used to worship the tree as it was considered very auspicious. Once the tree
withered away they constructed a temple at the same place and hence the name Kandazheeswarar.
Kandhe:
Also in Tamil, Kandhe stands
for evil. Kandheshwarar is the destroyer of all evils.
Surya worshipped Lord Shiva:
Another meaning for Kandhu is
infinity. Since the Linga in pure form is a beam of light with no beginning and end, Surya worshiped Lord Shiva in this place and hence the name Kandazheeswarar. There is a separate worship place for Suriya in this temple.