Sivanandeswarar Temple,
Tirupandurai – Legends
As per legend, Brahma, the
Hindu god of creation, disrespected Muruga (the son of Lord Shiva) at the time
of visiting Mount
Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. The child Muruga got angry with
Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings. Brahma said that he was
creating living beings with the help of the Vedas (Hindu scriptures).
On hearing the reply, Muruga asked Brahma to recite the texts from Vedas.
Brahma started to recite the text with the holy word called Pranava Mantra,
"Om". At that time Muruga stopped Brahma and asked him to explain the
meaning of the Pranava Mantra.
Lord Brahma could not reply and
hence Muruga knocked Brahma on his forehead with his clenched fists and
punished him with imprisonment. Muruga took up the role of the creator. The
Devas (celestial deities) were surprised by the absence of Brahma and they
requested Vishnu to negotiate with Muruga to release Brahma. Lord Vishnu could
not help and as the last resort, Shiva went to the rescue of Brahma. Lord Shiva
came to Muruga and asked him to release Brahma from imprisonment.
Muruga refused to release him
stating Brahma was unaware of the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (AUM). Lord Shiva
asked Muruga to explain the meaning and Muruga extolled to Shiva the meaning of
the Pranava Mantra. This incident made Lord Muruga proud. In order to punish
him, Lord Shiva made him dumb. Lord
Muruga came to Tirupandurai,
made a Shivalinga and worshipped to regain his skills. Pleased Shiva
granted the speaking skill to his divine Son. Hence, Lord came to be
called as Pranaveswarar (Lord of Pranava Mantra).
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Lord Brahma, Parvathy Devi, Twin Vinayagars and Murugan worshipped Lord Shiva here.