Chokkanathar Temple,
Thiruvidaimarudur – Legends
Brahmmahathi Dosham:
Pandyan King, Varaguna, who,
according to tradition, lived in the seventh century A.D. Once he went for
hunting in a nearby forest and when he started back home, dusk had already
fallen. The horse, fatigued by the hunt, was anxious to get back to the stables,
and literally flew over the path. Meanwhile an aged Brahmin, also travelling
through the forest, had called it a day and was lying fast asleep under the
shelter of a large tree.
Unfortunately, the path which
the King’s horse took was led over the very place where the old man lay
sleeping. The hooves of the horse crushed his chest, and he perished on the
spot. So fast was horse that the King had no inkling of this terrible calamity.
Only when the soldiers following him saw the dead Brahmin and informed him, did
the King come to know of the tragedy.
He lost no time in observing the
penances and sacrifices ordained in the shastras for absolution from this sin;
but the damage was done Brahmmahathi (spirit of the dead Brahmana) clung to him
all the more tightly. In despair, the King sought the help of Lord
Sundareswarar of Madurai. One day, when he was circumambulating the shrine, a
divine voice stated him that a Chola King will invade your Kingdom soon. Fight
him and he will be defeated.
As he flees back to his country,
chase him without harming him. He will lead you to Thiruvidaimarudur where Lord
Shiva himself worshipped his own image. The Sin clinging to you now will leave
you by praying to Lord Shiva there. The King then visited the temple at
Thiruvidaimarudur as per the divine guidance and prayed to Lord
Mahalingeswarar. He entered the temple through the Eastern entrance and
the Brahmmahathi could not enter the temple and waited outside the temple for
the King to return.
As advised by Mahalingaswamy,
the King left by the Western Gopuram (Tower) and hence got rid of the Brahmmahathi
dosham and the Brahmin’s ghost. The Brahmmahathi is waiting outside still
in the south ornamental entrance (south Torana Vayil) with head disheveled and
face immersed betwixt the knees. The king was relieved of his malady.
As he prayed to Lord
Chokkanathar sincerely for his relief. In gratitude, Varaguna Pandya built a
temple dedicated to Chokkanathar on the northern entrance of the Temple. Those
who are visiting this Temple, should make it a point to enter through the main
entrance to Shiva shrine, then to Goddess shrine and return by a different
entrance to get rid of one’s Dhoshams.
Unique Abhishekam:
One of the interesting beliefs
held here is that an Abhishekam performed to Chokkanathar to the accompaniment
of the megaraagakurinji raagam would result in a bountiful monsoon.
Vishwadeva worshipped Lord Chokkanathar here:
Adi Devatha of Uthirada
Nakshatra, Vishwadeva worshipped Lord Chokkanathar of this Temple. Uthirada
Starrers and Magara Rasi people can worship Lord Shiva of this Temple for
benefits and relief from Dhoshams.