Airavateshwarar Temple,
Melamaruthuvakudi – Legends
Airavateshwarar:
Lord Indra, King of
Heaven and his white elephant Airavata were
cursed by Sage Durvasa for throwing a garland given to
them by Lord Brahma
through Sage Durvasa. Indra lost his Kingdom and Airavata turned black. Indra and
Airavata worshipped Lord Shiva here and got relieved from the curse. Hence,
Lord came to be called as Airavateshwarar.
Parihara Sthalam for Viruchika Rasi:
As per legend, Lord Chandran was
facing the curse of Daksha Prajapathi and losing his brightness. Lord Chandran came
to this place for getting relief from the curse. He created Chandra Theertham
and worshipped Lord Vinayaka of this Temple. Pleased with his prayers,
Vinayaka advised him to pray to Lord Shiva of this temple. Chandran
followed the instructions and got relief. As he got relief on the Anusha star
which falls in the Viruchika Rasi (Zodiac sign), the belief is that those who
are born in Viruchika Rasi should offer prayers here and all their problems
will be resolved. Hence, the temple is considered as Parihara
Sthalam for Viruchika Rasi.
Bana Nandi:
One can see small holes / pores
on the body of Nandi. It is believed that when Marutthuvasura fought with Lord
Shiva, Nandi came in between Lord Shiva and Marutthuvasura in saving Lord Shiva
from the arrows of Marutthuvasura. The arrows landed on the body of Nandi and
got the pores (holes) in its body. Hence, Nandi came to be called as Bana Nandi
(Bana means arrow).
Nandavanam:
There is a story behind the
temple Nandavanam (garden). Once a learned Brahmin got lot of powers
due to his devotion to the Lord. Unfortunately, he became too greedy and
started demanding Dhanam (donations) from everyone. It is believed that when
the dhanam is received, the sins of the giver also get transferred to the receiver.
Over a period of time, the accumulated sin made the body of the Brahmin into
black. In order to get relief, he did penance for 12 years standing in the
midst of fire.
Pleased with his prayers, Lord
gave him back his normal body. But once again he started his harassments
and finally Indra complained to the Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva sent
Agoramurthy to punish the Brahmin and to take him into custody. When he was
brought before the Lord, the Brahmin realized his mistakes and pleaded for
mercy. The Lord pardoned him and to change his mind set, made him in
charge of the Nandavanam.
Lord Krishna prayed to Lord Shiva to get married to
Rukmini:
As per legend, Lord Krishna
prayed to Lord Shiva here to get married to Rukmini. He got married to Rukmini
as per his wish.
Maruthuvakudi:
It is the place where Lord Shiva
slew the demon Marutthuvasura. Hence, the place came to be called as Maruthuvakudi.
Adiseshan worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Adiseshan, King of Nagas, prayed
to Lord Shiva here and got the power to hold the earth.
Relief from Insect / Snake Bites:
It is also believed that when
one prays in this shrine, he is cured of the after effects of any insect or
snake bite.
Sage Agasthya worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Sage Agasthya
worshipped Lord Shiva here.
