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 |
Veedhi Vidangar |
Ajaba Nadanam |
Dance
without chanting, resembling the dance of Thyagaraja resting on Lord
Vishnu's chest |
|
Naga Vidangar |
Unmatha Nadanam |
Dance
of an intoxicated person |
|
Sundara Vidangar |
Paaravaara Nadanam |
Dancing
like waves of sea |
|
Aadhi Vidangar |
Kozhi Nadanam |
Dancing like a cock |
|
Avani Vidangar |
Vandu or Brahma Nadanam |
Dancing
like a bee that hovers over a flower |
|
Neela Vidangar |
Kamala Nadanam |
Dance like lotus that moves in a breeze |
|
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.