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Monday, September 20, 2021

Durgapureeswarar Temple, Kidathalaimedu – Legends

Durgapureeswarar Temple, Kidathalaimedu – Legends

Kidathalai Medu:

As per legend, the demon Mahishasuran (demon with the head of a buffalo) was vanquished by Mother Durga. It is said that during the battle, Mother Durga beheaded the demon and the buffalo head of the demon fell here. Hence, the place came to be called as Mahishasironnapuram / Kidathalai Medu (Kidathalai means buffalo head).

Durga Parameswarar:

As Mother Durga worshipped Lord Shiva here to get relief from the sin of killing Mahishasura, Lord Shiva came to be called as Durga Parameswarar.

Kamukambal:

As per legend, Indra and the gods suffered at the hands of the demon Tarakasura who cannot be defeated except by the son of Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma advises that Parvati should do sacred pooja with Lord Shiva, since their offspring would be able to defeat Taraka. Indra assigns Manmadha to break the meditation of Lord Shiva. To create a congenial atmosphere, Manmadha creates an untimely spring.

He evades Nandi by taking the form of the fragrant southern breeze and enters Lord Shiva's abode. After he awakens Lord Shiva with a flower arrow, Lord Shiva, furious, opens his third eye, which incinerates Manmadan instantaneously and he is turned into ash. Rathi, the wife of Manmadan, prayed to the Lord Shiva and the Mother Parvathi here to restore her husband back to life.

Lord Shiva pleased with her devotion brought Manmadan back to life but would be visible to Radhi only. After resurrection, Manmadan worshipped Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy here. Mother Parvathi pleased at the devotion of Manmadan, gave him back the traditional sugarcane bow and flower arrow to Manmadan. Hence, Mother Parvathy came to be called as Kamukambal.

A hole in the left nostril in the idol of Mother Durga:

As per legend, the Durga idol was completed and ready for consecration next day. Mother Durga appeared in the dream of the sculptor and expressed her wish to wear a nose stud. She suggested him to make a small hole in the left nostril in the idol. The sculptor informed Mother Durga that any alteration at this stage might do damage to the idol. Mother Durga advised him to keep the chisel at a particular point on the left nostril of the idol and she would take care of creating the hole.

The sculptor did exactly as per the advice. When the sculptor approached the idol with his chisel for creating the hole in left nostril, a perfect hole appeared in the nostril to his astonishment. The sculptor fell at the feet of the idol and worshipped Mother Durga. It is customary in this temple to offer nose stud to this Durga for fulfilling the devotee’s wishes.

Sumangali Pooja:

There is a miracle associated with the Durga of this temple happened in 1990. There is a practice in this temple inviting nine sumangalis to offer Sumangali Pooja during full moon day. This practice started in 1988. They decided to conduct the Sumangali Pooja in 5th August 1990 on a grand scale and invited 300 sumangalis. But on 5th August 1990, only 299 sumangalis turned up.

As the 300th person did not come, the priests kept the items meant for her, on the feet of Durga and completed the poojas. After all the sumangalis were fed, the priests went home and were about to take food. An old lady came at that time and introduced herself as the 300th person. She conveyed to the priests that as she had to go to several places, she could not come in time. The pleased priests took her to the temple and gave her all the honours befitting her status. 

The old lady then requested for food and after eating,  took their permission to rest in the temple before leaving. The priests left her in the temple, went home and had their lunch. When they returned to the temple, despite their best efforts, they could not find the old lady anywhere, when they resumed the evening pooja, Durga revealed through the Arul Vakku on one of the devotees that it was she who came as the 300th Sumangali.