Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Punugeeswarar Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Legends

Punugeeswarar Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Legends

Nesa Nayanar:

Nesa Nayanar, also known as Sivanesa Nayanar, Nesanar, Nesar and Nesan, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-ninth in the list of 63 Nayanmars. Nesa Nayanar is described to be a weaver, who was always engrossed in remembering his patron god Shiva and gifting clothes he knit to devotees of the deity. The life of Nesa Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanmars. Sekkizhar devotes five stanzas describing the life of the Nayanar saint.

Nesa Nayanar was born in Kampili (Kambili). Kambili is now situated in Bellary district of the Indian state of Karnataka. Nesa Nayanar is said to have been born in Kampili, but shifted to Koorai Nadu in modern-day Mayiladuthurai, now situated in state of Tamil Nadu. Nesa Nayanar was a Saliyar, a member of the Saliya caste. His family as well as Nesa Nayanar practised the traditional occupation of weaving. He was a devout devotee of Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism. His mind is said to always be concentrated on Shiva.

Nesa Nayanar used to continuously chant the Panchakshara mantra in honour of Shiva. He wove clothes, cut-pieces as well as Kowpeenams (loin-cloth). Though he was not wealthy, Nesa Nayanar used to generously donate clothes to devotees of Shiva. His deeds resulted in the favour of Shiva. By his grace, Nesa Nayanar reached Kailash, the abode of the god after death.

One of the most prominent Nayanmars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Nesa Nayanar in the Thiruthondar Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints. Nesa Nayanar is worshipped specially in the Tamil month of Panguni, when the moon enters the Rohini nakshatra (lunar mansion). Weavers of Koorai Nadu in Mayiladuthurai especially worship him on this day. A temple in Koorai Nadu is said to have images of Shiva's sons Ganesha and Kartikeya, which were brought by Nesa Nayanar to the place.

In depictions as part as of the Nayanmars, Nesa Nayanar is depicted with folded hands. In individual depictions of his life, the Nayanar is depicted distributing garments to devotees of Shiva or as engrossed in weaving. He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanmars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.

Punugeeswarar:

As per legend, Indra was cursed to become civet cat (Punugu) for attending Daksha Yaga by Lord Shiva. Indra begged forgiveness to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva advised him to visit Mayiladuthurai and worship him. Indra in the form of Punugu came here and performed penance on Lord Shiva of this temple. Indra got relief from his curse by worshipping Lord Shiva here and attained his divine status. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Punugeeswarar.

Civet Cat worshipped Lord Shiva here:

As per legend, there was a forest in ancient times to the west of Mayiladuthurai. The forest was inhabited by several civet cats (Punugu). One of the civet cat used to worship Swayambhu Linga in the forest with Vilva leaves. Pleased with the worship, Lord Shiva liberated the civet cat from animal form and blessed with divine form. Hearing this incident, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and other celestial beings came here and worshipped Lord Shiva. In later days, Chola king cleared the forest and built a temple for Lord Shiva here.

Koorai Nadu:

During the marriages, the brides wear a saree called Koorai Pattu. It is said that these type of sarees were woven only in Koorai Nadu in olden days. Hence, this part of Mayiladuthurai came to be called as Koorai Nadu.