Thirukolanatha Swamy Temple,
Thirukolakudi – Legends
Thavalaipadatha Sunai:
Once, Naga around the neck of
Lord Shiva enquired about the wellbeing of Garuda in a sarcastic way. On seeing
the arrogance of Naga, Lord Shiva cursed him to be born in Earth as a
punishment. Naga begged Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Lord Shiva advised Naga to
Visit Kakolapuram and perform penance. As advised, Naga visited and started
performing penance in this place.
One day, Naga noticed that frogs
in the Sunai (Spring) were killed by the birds. Naga worried about the frogs
and prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva made the spring devoid of frogs. Hence,
the spring came to be called as Thavalaipadatha Sunai. This Theertham or spring
is also called as Nelliyadi Theertham, Kakola Theertham, Thaen Theertham,
Saptha Kannimar Theertham and Shivadharma Theertham.
Worshipping Lord Shiva in eight forms in four Yugas:
Sage Agasthya and Sage Pulasthya
in the form of Jack Tree worshipped formless form of Lord Shiva here. It is
also believed that they worshipped Lord Shiva in all four Yugas in eight forms
considering Lord Shiva as land, water, fire, air, sky, athma, sun and moon.
Equivalent to Kailasha:
It is believed that taking food
in this sthalam is equivalent to conducting Yagna, sleeping in this sthalam is
equivalent to conducting Shiva Yogam and circumbulating the shrine is
equivalent to conducting festivals. This Temple is considered equivalent to
Kailasha.
Other Names of this Place:
The place was called as
Sivapuram, Thirukolapuram and Kanni Managaram.