Paranjothi Eswarar Temple,
Thanjakkur – Legends
Lord Shiva granting Paranjothi Darshan to Lords:
Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
along with the Devas met Lord Shiva in Kailasha and said that they were
worshipping him daily and piously demanded his Paranjothi Darshan. Lord
said that he was on earth in Vilwa forest formlessly and advised them to
worship him there for the Paranjothi darshan. All came down to earth, discovered
the Vilwa Vana, created a tank, installed a Shiva Linga and worshipped
Lord. Lord wanted to test their determination and created troubles in the
puja through Makali and Veerakali.
They continued the puja with a
steadfast mind. Finally, Lord Shiva himself came there in the guise of an
aged person and gave troubles to disturb their pujas. Lords Vishnu and
Brahma and the Devas could not be stopped from their rigid
worship. Pleased with their determination, Lord Shiva granted his
Paranjothi darshan aspired by them on a Monday in the Aavani
(August-September). Later, Mothers Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi and Lord
Muruga worshipped Lord for the same darshan.
Rudra Kodeeswarar:
One Crore Rudras worshipped Lord
Shiva of this
Temple, Hence, the Lord is also called as Rudra Kodeeswarar.
People who worshipped Shiva in this place:
Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Indirani (wife
of Indira), Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sri Hanuman, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Sage
Agasthya, Sage Gautama, King Maran, King Maraivanan and King Thanjai Vanar had
darshan of Lord in this
temple.
Poyya Mozhi Pulavar:
Tamil Poet Poyya Mozhi Pulavar who
wrote Thanjai Vaanan Kovai, was born in this
place. He prayed to Lord Shiva of this Temple for a scholarly achievement
and got relieved of his poverty.