Pages

Friday, September 17, 2021

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai – Religious Significance

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai – Religious Significance

Saptha Vidanga Sthalams:

As per legend, a Chola king named Muchukunda obtained a boon from Indra and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy (Somaskanda) reposing on the chest of reclining Lord Vishnu. Indra tried to misguide the king and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image. Indra was delighted to see his unwavering devotion on Lord Shiva, he gifted all the seven images to Muchukunda.

Muchukunda Chola brought all the seven images of Thyagaraja Swamy with him to the Chola kingdom and had them installed at seven different places (in and) around  Thiruvarur. He installed the original idol in Thiruvarur and the other six idols at Thirukolili, Thirukkarayil, Thirumaraikkadu, Thiruvaimur, Thirunallar and Thirunagai. All seven Thyagaraja images are said to dance when taken in procession (it is the bearers of the processional deity who actually dance).

These seven places are collectively called as Saptha Vidanga Sthalams. The Saptha Vidanga Sthalams are listed below;

Temple

Name of Thyagaraja

Dance pose

Meaning

Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur

Veedhi Vidangar

Ajaba Nadanam

Dance without chanting, resembling the dance of Thyagaraja resting on Lord Vishnu's chest

Dharbaranyeswarar Temple, Thirunallar

Naga Vidangar

Unmatha Nadanam

Dance of an intoxicated person

Kayarohana Swamy Temple, Nagapattinam

Sundara Vidangar

Paaravaara Nadanam

Dancing like waves of sea

Kannayariamudayar Temple, Kurumanakkudi

Aadhi Vidangar

Kozhi Nadanam

Dancing like a cock

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirukkuvalai

Avani Vidangar

Vandu or Brahma Nadanam

Dancing like a bee that hovers over a flower

Vaimoornathar Temple, Thiruvaimur

Neela Vidangar

Kamala Nadanam

Dance like lotus that moves in a breeze

Vedaranyeswarar Temple, Vedaranyam

Bhuvani Vidangar

Hamsavagha Nadanam

Dancing with the gait of a swan

Paadal Petra Sthalams:

This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 240th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 123rd sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This Temple is considered as one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Moovar (Thirugnana Sambanthar, Appar and Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.