Rudra Kodeeswarar Temple,
Thirukazhukundram – Legends
Rudra Kodeeswarar:
It once happened that the
celestial beings who could not bear the torture and the destruction caused by
the demons, prayed to Lord Siva, who made one crore Rudras emerge from his body
to destroy the demons. The Rudras had a very striking feature – thick tangled
locks of hair, wearing garland made of skulls and jewels with symbols of
snakes, carrying a trident (Trishula), with four armed hands each carrying
weapons such as bow, arrow, discus etc. They bowed before Lord Shiva awaiting his
order.
Lord Shiva directed the Rudras
to kill the demons and evil creatures that disturb and terrorize sadhus and
devas and protect the universe. And the Rudras obediently followed the strict
orders issued by Lord Shiva and kept the demons at bay, protecting the
universe. It was then Lord Vishnu started churning the ocean to offer the
panacea drink, Amrudha, to devas by excavating Mount Manthiragiri.
From the plateau caused by the
excavation, there emanated evil demons with grotesque shapes and figures with
multiple heads, creating unimaginable horror and inflicting suffering to devas.
This was brought to the notice of Lord Shiva. He then summoned the Rudras again
and asked them to destroy the team of demons at once. However, the Rudras
hesitated.
When Lord Shiva enquired about
the reason behind their reluctance to kill the demons, the Rudras stated that
these demons were rife with malicious spirits now, but had once been carrying
good spirits, and making intense penance thinking of Lord. They, thus, feared
the sins that would accrue to them as a result of slaying the demons. Lord
Shiva listened to the Rudras and comforted them saying they could atone their
sins by praying Lord Vedagiriswarar, who was residing in Mother Earth.
Then the One Crore Rudras then
slayed the demons as per Lord Shiva’s instruction and then came down to Earth
to pay obeisance to Lord Vedagiriswarar. Rudras were extremely pleased by the
ambience at the Lord’s temple and the appearance of the mountain – the sound of
water-drops falling into the river from falls, plants that smelt like
sandalwood, platforms that shone like pristine crystal.
As the Rudras neared the
temple, Lord Shiva transformed himself into One Crore Shivalingas so as to
enable the Rudras individually atone their sins by performing poojas and other
deed including reciting prayers, showering the Linga with pure scented water
and fragrant flowers. Lord Shiva immensely pleased with the prayers of the
Rudras transformed himself and showed his real form to the Rudras by consuming
all the one crore Shivalingas into his heart.
The Rudras unanimously
requested the Lord to grant them the boon of naming the land they worshipped
Lord Shiva after them and hence the place was rightly named Rudrakoti Sthalam. Lord
came to be called as Rudra Kodeeswarar. A temple was erected later. The sacred
pond associated with the temple was called as Rudrakodi Theertham. The Goddess
is called Pennilnallal (also known as Rudrakoteeswari).
Partly buried Nandhi:
Once Vishnu came to see Shiva
here in the form of Garuda; When Garudazhwar was waiting outside, before
Vishnu came out, Nandikeswarar blew his breath over Garudazhwar and the
feathers of Garudazhwar fell off. Shiva then punished Nandikeswarar by making
him sink to the ground. When Nandi’s body started to sink into the ground, at
the behest of Vishnu, Shiva stopped Nandikeswarar at that point. So, you can
see Nandikeswarar partly buried at the ground.
Benefit of doing Pradakshinam of a crore of Rudras at a
time:
By worshipping here once, one
can get the benefit of doing Pradakshinam of a crore of Rudras at a time.
Story behind reclined position of Mother:
Ambal, also known as Sri
Abirami, has calmed down Sri Kali Devi, who was brimming with anger. Hence, she
is appearing in a slightly reclined position.
