Dharmapureeswarar Temple,
Muzhaiyur – Legends
Mada Kovils:
Kochengat Chola was an
early Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints)
of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a
spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of
the Lord Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his
mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the baby red eyes said
Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which
literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat
Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils,
temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in
the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one of the
temple built by him.
Appar’s fasting to find the
buried temple:
As per
legend, the
temple was closed and buried under the ground by Jains. Nayanmar
Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) visited Pazhayarai
and enquired about Vadathali
Temple to the locals. Local people told that the temple was hidden
under the ground by Jains. Appar started fasting to find the location of the
temple. It is said that Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of Chola king
Manimudi Chola and ordered him to assist Appar in his search of Vadathali
Temple. The
temple was found and reconsecrated for worship.
Vimali, daughter of Kamadhenu worshipped Lord Shiva
here:
Vimali, the daughter of
Kamadhenu worshipped here. Other daughters of Kamadhenu, Patti worshipped Lord
Shiva in Patteeswaram,
Sabhali worshipped Lord Shiva in Pazhayarai
Mel Thali and Nandini worshipped Lord Shiva in Muzhaiyur.
