Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Tiruvetkalam – Legends
Pasupatheeswarar:
As per Hindu legend, Arjuna was advised by Lord
Krishna to perform penance on Lord Shiva to get the Pasupatha missile to win
the Kurukshetra war though he got many such from his father Indira. Obeying
this, he came to this place dense with bamboo trees. He performed severe
penance at this place. Duryodhana sent demon Mookasura as a wild boar to spoil
Arjuna’s penance. Knowing his strategy, Lord Shiva set out with Mother Parvathi
as a hunter.
Arjuna spotted the wild boar speeding to attack him.
While he shot the boar with an arrow, another hunter (Lord Shiva) also claimed
that he was the first to shoot the pig. A fight of superiority started between
the two. Arjuna attacked the hunter with an arrow, the impact of which was felt
by all beings in the world. The bow-blow wound on the Shivalinga is noticeable
even now.
The hunter then tossed Arjuna with his toe, who fell in
Krupa Samudram. It took Arjuna time to realize that it was Shiva in the form of
the hunter who attacked him. Mother Parvathi grew angry on Arjuna when he
struck on the Lord but Lord stopped her saying that a Mother should only be
loving and addressed her ‘Sarguna’ meaning a person with calm traits. Arjuna
had the benefit of the touch of Lord’s feet when he tossed him.
They both granted boons to Arjuna, a weapon named
Pasupatham. Since Shiva granted Pasupatham at this place, he came to be known
as Pasupatheeswarar. This event is enacted during the festival in the month of
Vaikasi. The event of Lord Shiva’s fight with Arjuna is described in detail in
the epic “Kirathachuneeyam”. The bows Gandipam and Pinakam are said to have
been formed here.
Many villages around this shrine are associated with
the legend
of Arjuna's encounter with Shiva. Usuppoor is
where Arjuna is said to have chased a wild boar which disturbed his
meditation; Nakkar Ugandakudi is another
(Nakkattankudi). Eesanporveli is where Arjuna is believed to have
fought with Shiva, and Villeruttaan Kuttai is where Arjuna's bow is
said to have been broken by Shiva.
Nayanmars
visit:
Sambandar, considering the entire town of Chidambaram to
be the holy temple, resided in Tiruvetkalam, and visited the Chidambaram temple from here. It is said that Appar visited
this shrine after visiting Chidambaram; he is then said to have visited Tirukkazhippalai and then returned to Chidambaram.
Sage
Narada worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is also believed that sage Narada worshiped Lord Shiva
of this temple.