Jayamkonda Soleeswarar Temple,
Nemam – Legends
Jayamkonda Soleeswarar:
Once, Indra and
the other gods were suffering at the hands of the demon Tarakasura who
cannot be defeated except by Shiva's son. Lord Brahma advises
that Parvati should
seduce Shiva, since their offspring would be able to defeat Taraka. Indra
assigns Kamadeva to break Shiva's meditation. To create a congenial atmosphere,
Kamadeva (Madana) creates an untimely spring. He evades Shiva's guard, Nandi,
by taking the form of the fragrant southern breeze, and enters Shiva's abode.
After he awakens Shiva with a
flower arrow, Shiva, furious, opens his third eye, which incinerates Manmadan
instantaneously and he is turned into ash. However, Shiva observes Parvati and
asks her how he can help her. She enjoins him to resuscitate Manmadan, and
Shiva agrees to let Manmadan live but in a disembodied form; hence Kamadeva is
also called Ananga (an- = without; anga = body,
"bodiless"), or Atanu (a- = without; tanu =
body). The spirit of love embodied by Kama is now disseminated across the cosmos:
afflicting humanity with the creation of lust.
Lord Shiva agrees with Mother
Parvati's proposal and their union is consummated. Their son Kartikeya goes
on to defeat Taraka. It is believed that Lord Shiva incinerated Manmadan in
this place. As Shiva overcame the temptation of Manmatha, He is called
Jayamkondan and as the temple was built by Cholas, He became Jayamkonda Soleeswarar.
Sage Agasthya worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Sage
Agasthya worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple while he was on his way to
Podhigai Hills.
Other Names:
This place was also called as
Jayamkonda Cholapuram, Jayamkondapuram, Madhunandhipuram and Kulasekerapuram.