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Thursday, October 8, 2020

Dharmapureeswarar Temple, Muzhaiyur – Legends

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.