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.