Kadambavaneswarar Temple, Kulithalai – Legends

Kadambavaneswarar Temple, Kulithalai – Legends

Kadamba Vaneswarar:

Devas of the celestial world had appealed to Mother Ambika to protect them from the atrocities of Demon Doomralochana. Mother took the form of Durga and fought with the demon. As his boons were very strong, he fought with equal might with Mother. Mother began to feel weak. Lord Shiva deputed Saptha Kannikas to fight him. The demon could not stand their force and hid himself in the hermitage of Maharshi Kathyayana.

The virgins mistook the Rishi as the demon and eliminated him and thus incurred Brahmmahathi Dosha – a sin that would make the sinner dark with a gruesome face. As advised by Ambika, they performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin when Lord granted them darshan from the Kadamba tree. Hence, the bas-relief images of Sapta Kannis are installed behind the idol of Shiva Linga in the main shrine. Also, he came to be called as Kadamba Vaneswarar.

Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here for washing off the sin caused by killing of demon Surapadma.  

Brahma attained Mukthi here:

Lord Brahma, tired after his task of creation prayed to Lord Siva for Mukthi. Lord Siva praised Brahma for his wonderful job of creation and instructed him to worship Kadambavaneswarar. Also advised him to bathe thrice a day in the sacred Cauvery river and perform abishekam & pooja to the Lord. Brahma continued to worship Lord Siva for several thousands of years. Finally, Lord Shiva granted darshan along with Mother. Thus, Brahma is said to have attained Mukthi at this sthalam.

Mukthi Sthalam:

There is a belief that devotees are ensured of Mukthi if they worship Kadambar at this temple in the morning, followed by Ayyarmalai Rathnagiriswarar and Thiruengoimalai Nathar in the evening of the same day.

Pancha Kadamba Sthalams:

It is considered as one of the five Kamba shrines installed by Lord Subramanya. The other four shrines are Kovil Kadambar, Aadi Kadambar, Ilankadambanoor and Perunkadambanoor.

Dakshina Kasi:

Since this temple in South India is facing North, it is also known as the Dakshina Kasi.

Brahmapuram:

The site was named as Brahmapuram as Lord Brahma conducted the chariot festival here.

Chatur Veda Puri:

Vishnu prayed to Shiva prior to recovering the Vedas from Somasuran; hence the site was also called as Chatur Veda Puri.

Lord Shiva darshan to Kanva Rishi:

Lord Shiva of this Temple appeared before Kanva rishi under the Kadamba tree.

Meenakshi Sundareswarar:

Devasarma is supposed to have got the darshan in this temple of the Lord Sundareswarar marrying Meenakshi (the wedding that took place in Madurai). Hence the deity in this temple is also known as Sundareswarar & the Ambal as Meenakshi.

Etymology:

The town derives its name from the presiding deity of the Kadamba Vaneswarar temple. The 7th century Nayanmars (Saiva saints) Appar, revered the place as Kadambandurai and Kuzhithandalai in his works in Devaram. The word Kuzhithandalai, in modern times, is denoted as Kulithalai.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma, Saptha Kannigas, Kanva, Devasarma, Agastya Tirunavukkarasar, Aiyadigal, Kadavarkon have worshipped Lord Shiva at this sthalam.