Kayarohaneswarar Temple,
Pillaiyarpalayam – Legends
Kayarohaneswarar:
Once, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were very disappointed
as their life time was coming to an end. Lord Shiva, who is beyond time limit
took both of them to his shoulder and performed his cosmic dance. As Lord Shiva
embraced Lord Vishnu and Lord brahma and saved them from non-existence, Lord
Shiva came to be called as Kayarohaneswarar.
Poundarika
Rishi attained salvation with his physical body here:
Poundarika Rishi performed penance on Lord Shiva here.
Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked his wish. Rishi told Lord Shiva that
he wanted to attain salvation with his physical body. Lord Shiva hugged his
body (Kayam) and accepted him. Hence, he came to be called as Kaya
Rohana Eswarar.
Yama
Dharmeswarar:
Lord Yama worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva made
him the guardian deity of southern direction. Lord Shiva instructed him not to
create disturbances to the devotees who worship him here. If Yama did not
fulfil this condition, his position and fame would leave him. There is a temple
for Dharma Lingeswarar / Yama Dharmeswarar on the western bank of Kaya Rohana
Theertham. It is said that Lord Yama installed this Linga.
Mahalakshmi
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is said Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva of this
temple by performing Pooja to Lord Shiva with Vilva leaves. Lord Shiva
blessed Mahalakshmi to have Lord Vishnu as her husband.
Guru Parihara
Sthalam:
It is believed that Lord Jupiter (Lord Guru), came here
to worship Lord Shiva and was blessed with boundless devotion towards Lord
Shiva. Hence, this
temple is considered as Guru Parihara Sthalam.
Satchidghanendra
Saraswathi attained salvation here:
It is said that Satchidghanendra
Saraswathi (235–272 CE), 13th Peedathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti
Mutt, merged with Lord Shiva of this
temple and attained Siddhi.
Kaya Rohanam Temples:
There are three Kaya Rohanam
Temples in Tamil Nadu. Kaya Rohana refers to a branch of Saivism originated in
Gujarat. Chola Kings brought the Brahmins belonging to this sect for the cause
of Shaivism and settled them down in three places namely Kanchipuram,
Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam. The Kaya Rohana temples of Tamil Nadu are;