Viswanatha Swamy Temple,
Thepperumanallur – Legends
Lord Shiva tore Sani into two pieces:
As per Sthala Puranam, once Sani
came to Mother and told her that the next day, he had to keep Shiva under his
control for 71/2 Nazhigai (around 3 hours). Mother was
incensed. Next day, when Sani came to keep the Lord under his
control, Mother asked Shiva to hide behind a nearby Peepal (arasa) tree and she
stood in front of the tree, guarding the Lord. Sani stood there for
3 hours and went back with a swagger, keeping his hands on his hips. When Mother
asked him the reason for his arrogant behavior, He told that he could arrest
the Lord behind the Arasa tree as ordained.
Lord became furious and took the
form of Maha Bhairava and tore Sani into two pieces. Sani then pointed out
that he was doing only his duty and if it was not allowed, the human race would
be totally lost in chaos and he sought pardon for his behavior. Lord
understood the logic and gave him back his normal form. This explains both
the presence of Maha Bhairava and Sani. When Ambal calmed the ferocious
Maha Bhairava, he took the normal form and became Shanta Bhairava.
Hence, Sani is seen here at this
temple in a ‘Garva Kolam’ (arrogant posture). As he was defeated by Shiva here,
Sani’s negative powers are believed to not work here in this place. Hence those
who come here and offer their sincere prayers will be relieved from Sani Dosham
and financial problems. Angry at Sani for his disruptive act, Lord Shiva
directed all the planets to inter change their positions and face Surya.
Equivalent to 12 Jyotirlingas:
During the destructive pralaya
floods, this place alone was spared. Every step of Brahma became a lotus flower
and he himself was confused. Brahma approached Lord Shiva for clarification.
Lord Shiva said that there is no clarity to know the truth. He then approached
Lord Vishnu who said that only if one takes three Avatars – Maya, Human and
Animal could uncover the riddle. Brahma went to Maha Ganapathy, who said that he
could not do it without the sanction from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted
permission.
To comply with the condition of
three forms, Ganesa in the elephant form with human eyes / legs / fingers / toes
and a garland of skulls (for Mayaroopa) appeared before Brahma and told him the
secret. This place did not sink during Pralayam as it was the place of Adi
Shakthi (Mayanidhi). Lord Maha Ganapathy took three avatars and changed the
Devas and the Ashtathik Palakas as skulls and wore them as a belt.
He said, “This is the piece of
Land where Mother Aadhi Sakthi performed severe penance. She made a pot and
placed all the deities in it. She pulled one by one. When she pulled Ganapathy,
He called Her Oh! Mother. That expression was an attachment of motherhood. Maha
Vishnu called her Oh! my sister expressing fraternity. Mother set aside both
and finally took Lord Parameswara from the pot who expressed lust. Mother
decided that he was the person she was seeking for and asked him to come to her
chamber.
Calling her at the chamber, Lord
Parameswara demanded Maya (mother) to give him in writing that she was his
slave. She wrote the promise with mercury in a palm leaf saying that she would
concede to his demand if he held the leaf without dropping the liquid down.
While catching the leaf, it fell on the knee of Lord and spilled over. Mayanidhi
laughed at Lord Shiva. Furious Shiva burnt Maya by his forehead eye and took
Viswaroopa. Devarajapuram is the place where the ash and mercury fell.
As the Viswaroopa was too much
for the world, Parvathi came and started preaching the four Vedas to the Lord
and cooled his temper. Hence, she is called Vedanthanayagi. At
that time, Narada came there and told the Lord Shiva that as Brahmmahathi
dosham got attached to him when he killed Sani, He could not take Viswaroopa
any longer. He further said that this would go only if he had the
darshan of the Jyotirlingas. Immediately, the Lord uttered the names of
all the 12 Jyotirlingas and as per legend, the power of all the 12 came here
and got united in a single lingam. Then Narada told that as this Kshetram
is having the essence of all the 12 Jyotirlingams, only those without rebirth,
could have darshan here.
Marupiravi Illa Koil:
Once, Sage Agasthya came this
side and wanted to have darshan of the Lord. Since Agastya was destined to have
re-births. Lord Shiva did not want to give him darshan. He asked
Makarantha Rishi who was performing Poojas, to stop Agasthya from entering this
temple. The Rishi took the form Makarantha flowers and covered the entire
area. Makarantha flowers bloom only once in 48 years and one flower is equivalent
to Kailasa darshan. Agasthya could not reach the temple without stepping on the
flowers.
When he used his spiritual
powers, he understood that the flowers were in fact only the Makarantha
Rishi. He asked the latter to move aside to avoid receiving his
curse. Makarantha Rishi refused. Agasthya cursed him to become a
Yazhi (Lion faced animal). Rishi explained that since Agasthya was
still subjected to re-birth, he could not enter the place and he was only
carrying out the orders of the Lord. Agasthya realised the issue and in
order to give relief to the Rishi, he said that the Yazhi face would become
normal, when he performs Pooja to the Lord with something which was not tried
hitherto.
Rishi used all substances – water,
oil, milk, honey etc, for 50 years, but in vain. One day the Rudraksha
Mala around his neck snapped and the Rudrakshas fell on the Lord. As
this was the first time Rudraksha was used in any Archana, the Rishi got back
his normal face. From that time onwards, this practice continues in
this temple. Hence even today it is believed that only those who do
not have rebirth, can have darshan of this Lord. The belief is that those who
worship in this temple are freed from the cycle of rebirths. (Marupiravi Illa
Koil). This is the only temple in India where Rudraksha Kavacha Alankara is
done to Lord Shiva.
Rajaraja Chola, builder of this Temple:
On hearing the legend relating
to this Lord, Rajaraja Chola expressed interest to have darshan at this place
but was prevented by his ministers as it was not possible for all to have
darshan of the Lord here and that it was not advisable for him to go there at
this point of time. Disregarding the advice, Rajaraja Chola came here on his
horse. Since the king’s feet was not to touch the ground here, the intelligent
horse is believed to have taken his King on his back around the Lord 12 times
that led Lord Shiva to exclaim that in this great Chola kingdom even the horse
is intelligent.
It is believed that the Lingam
changed to 12 different forms during this time. At the end of this process, the
dutiful horse is believed to have presented himself to the Lord at this same
place as a sacrifice for the well-being of the king and his vast kingdom. Pleased
Rajaraja Chola is said to have built this temple with a unique mix of Honey and
Slaked Lime in a way that the rays of the sun falls on all the days of the year
except one.
Devotees speak to Nandi’s right ear to settle their
grievances:
While Nandhi was coming down to
the place, he slipped on the right side injuring his left ear. Lord assured
Nandhi that he would bless people who narrated their grievance in its right
ear. Devotees experience their grievances settled when they speak to the right
ear of Nandhi.
Ananda Swaroopa Darshan:
Lord provides an Ananda Swaroopa
Darshan here at this temple and only those who are blessed will be able to
visit this temple.
Serpent King’s Penance:
For 12 years the Serpent King
undertook severe penance invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva. On the Eclipse
day, the Snake attained Moksham. On this day, seen in its full form, the
Serpent King prevented the sun’s rays from reaching the Lord.
Ambal's dance steps can be heard on Pradosham Days:
On Pradosham days, Ambal's dance
steps can be heard at this temple to those devotees who offer their sincere
prayers.
Theerthavari Utsavam:
In centuries gone by, Four Lords
from in and around Kumbakonam used to congregate here for Theerthavari Utsavam
during Maasi Magam. During this festival, it is believed that Rahu took bath in
the sacred tank and got Moksham.