Sevvantheeswarar Temple,
Seerapalli – Legends
Sevvantheeswarar:
Once, this place was a dense
forest abundant with Kundali shrubs and rarely visited by villagers except a
few cow herders. One day, a cow herd noticed a strange phenomenon that a cow
from his herd shed all its milk in a particular spot. He also found that the
cow was doing the same in following days. Frightened cowherd informed the
villagers about this incident.
Villagers out of curiosity,
started clearing off the bushes to find the reason behind the strange behaviour
of the cow. While digging the place with axe and sickle, sickle hit some
strange object and blood started oozing out from the place. Villagers
discovered a Swayambhu Lingam in that place. Villagers named the Lingam as Sevvantheeswarar
as it was red colored due to the oozing of the blood.
Lord Shiva helped a lady to deliver her child:
Once, a man was travelling with
his pregnant wife in the region. Suddenly, his wife went into labor pain. Helpless
couple prayed to Lord Shiva and cried for help. Lord Shiva in disguise as a
woman helped the lady to deliver the child safely.
Similarities with Thayumanavar
Temple, Trichy:
Presiding Deity of Thayumanavar
Temple is also called as Mathru Bhoodheshwarar / Sevvantheeswarar similar to
the presiding deity of this Temple. Mothers in both the temples is called as
Kunthalambigai / Matuvar Kuzhal Ammai. The name
Seerapalli also reminds a connection of this place with Trichy.
Temple Control:
The Temple was looked after by
Goundar Community. There is a story behind their control of this Temple. In
olden days, the temple was surrounded by Agraharam, a brahmin settlement. A cow
died in the Agraharam area, as brahmins cannot touch the carcass of cow due to
religious rules. Hence, brahmins approached the local Goundars for help in
removing the carcass of the cow.
Local Goundars accepted to
remove on a condition that the temple should be handed over to them. As the
brahmins had no choice, they agreed to the condition and also gave up the
rights of temple lands and temple management to the local Goundars. As times
passed, all the brahmin families left this village. Now this village is devoid
of Brahmins. The Temple has been looked after by Goundars only. Few Brahmin
families visit this Temple occasionally.
