Hari Theertheswarar Temple,
Thiruvarankulam – Legends
Golden Palm Fruits:
Tiruvarangulam
was once a jungle where a hunter was residing with his wife. One day, while on
her searching for food, she lost the track and was struggling to find her way.
A sage saw her and took to her husband. Seeing them in poverty, he created a
golden palm tree without their knowledge and went away. The tree yielded one
fruit a day which he sold to a trader in the place. The trader gave him a little
money though the fruit was priceless. The hunter sold 4,420 palm fruits to the trader.
He managed with the small income
to maintain himself and his wife. On seeing that the trader has amassed huge
wealth, the hunter demanded his due share which the trader refused. The hunter
complained to the king. The king was surprised and sent his men to find the
tree. There was no tree but only a Shivalinga. The trader understood that the
hunter was blessed with the golden palm tree.
He sold 1,420 fruits and built
this temple with the proceeds. He locked the remaining 3000 fruits in a room.
People of the place believe that these fruits are still buried somewhere in the
place. It is believed that the golden palm tree was on the outer corridor of
the temple yielding golden fruits. Now, the tree is not there. There is a
pillar now.
Periyanayaki:
There was a staunch woman Shiva
devotee, Periyanayaki by name. While she went to the temple with her parents,
she suddenly disappeared. A voice was heard that she had joined Lord Shiva.
Nagarathar community people regarded her as Ambika and raised a separate shrine
for her. From the very appearance, it could be concluded that this shrine was constructed
in later days.
Nimbaaraniyam:
Kaivalyan, a brahmin lived in
Chola Country. He married Sumathi. Couples didn’t have child for long time. As
a result, the couples started a pilgrimage. On their way, they reached Aran
Kulam. They took bath in Hari Theertham. Kaivalyan started his penance on Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him with Child boon. The
couples are blessed with a male child. They named him as Nimbaaraniyan. Nimbaaraniyan married Suyampirai and they also dint
have child for long time. His father advised him to visit Aran Kulam and pray
to Lord Shiva.
As per his father advise, he
came here and started his penance. Lord Shiva blessed him with an 8-year-old
girl child. Mother Parvathi appeared before him as a girl child. When she
attained marriageable age, Lord Shiva married her. Nimbaaraniyan also requested
Lord Shiva to be present here as in Kailash and grace the devotees. Lord Shiva
obliged to his request. As promised, Lord Shiva married Parvathi in Vaikasi
Month on Poosa Nakshatra. Hence the place came to be called as Nimbaaraniyam.
Chola king Kalmashapadan worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Chola king Kalmashapadan was
much annoyed as he did not have a progeny even after long years of marriage. He
felt that he would have none to continue his services to Lord. He appealed to
Sage Agasthya who advised him to go to Thiruvarankulam and worship the
Shivalinga. The king came to this place but could not find the Shivalinga and
sought the help of shepherds. They told him that people carrying puja materials
through this way fall down at a particular spot.
The king dug the spot when the
earth began to bleed. The Shivalinga was there. The king attempted to kill
himself for injuring the Lord. Lord appeared, prevented the king from the
attempt and offered darshan with Mother Parvathi in his wedding form. The
temple was built here then. The event took place on a Pooram star day. He was also
gifted with a male child.
Adiseshan worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sage Kashyapa had two wives
namely Vinadhai and Kathru. Kathru gave birth to poisonous Nagas as children.
Vinadhai gave birth to Arunan and Garuda. Uchchaihshravas, a mythical white
horse was used to live in Deva Loka. A dispute arose between Nagas and Garuda
about the colour of this horse. Adiseshan decided to support Nagas. He reached
Arankulam and created a Theertham on the southern side. He prayed to Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before Adisesha and blessed him that enmity with
Garuda will not affect you.
Temple Relationship with Isai Vellala Community:
The story is that an
untouchable, who had disguised himself, was appointed as peshkar (manager) of
the temple and having been detected, was done to death. A devadasi lover of
his, out of grief, committed suicide. The couple is now worshipped by the
Isai-Vellala community, Melakarars of the village, at this temple.
Breaking Coconuts by Paraiyan:
Once, the temple car on an
occasion broke down. When an attempt was made to move it, legend has it that
the Lord appeared and decreed that the car will not be moved unless a paraiyan
had broken the first coconut on the wheels of the car and touched the car
ropes. The practice is observed to this day.
Tiru Haran Kulam:
As the holy spring came from the
head of Hara, it is called Hara Theertham. The place came to be known as Tiru Haran
Kulam (Thiruvarankulam).
Porpanai:
The region was dense with Palm
trees and the fruit used to look like in golden color. The kings who came for
hunting in this area started calling this fruit as “Porpanai” (Por + Panai – Por
is gold; Panai is palm).
Equivalent to Kasi:
Worshipping Thiruchitrambalam
Udayar in the temple is equal to worshipping Lord Viswanatha in Kasi.
Thiruvarankulam:
As the God here is
Arangulanathar, the village name became Thiruvarankulam.
