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Thursday, April 2, 2020

Hari Theertheswarar Temple, Thiruvarankulam – Legends

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.