Vazhikaraiyan Temple,
Vazhuvur – Legends
As per legend, once the sages
of Darukavana were engrossed in Dharma (righteousness) and extreme austerities
but had forgotten the Samkhya (Supreme Knowledge). Lord Shiva took the form
of Bikshadana (handsome mendicant) to dispense the ignorance of sages and lead
them to true knowledge. He entered Darukavana, begging for alms from the
sages wives. They were so enamoured of
him that while granting alms, they allowed their clothes to fall off and
followed him, dancing and singing, love-sick.
Bikshadana was accompanied
by Mohini (Vishnu disguised as Bikshadana enchanting wife). Seeing Mohini,
the sages simply stopped the yajna half way and began following Mohini. The
Rishis recovered from the illusion and not knowing the stranger was but Lord
Shiva, sent Agni, tiger, deer, snakes and a battle axe called Mazhu. Lord Shiva
defeated and made them his ornaments. The sages performed a black magic
sacrifice to create an elephant-demon
called Gajasura to attack Lord Shiva.
When the elephant
approached Lord Shiva, he assumed a miniscule form and jumped into the trunk of
the elephant. He then took his Viswaroopa inside the elephant’s body and came
out explosively bursting through the stomach of the rogue elephant and wore its
skin as a garment. Lord Shiva finally revealed his true identity and did a
furious dance in front of them. Realizing their mistakes, the sages surrendered
to Bikshadana.
It is said that the heroic
feet of vanquishing the elephant demon happened in Vazhuvur and Lord Shiva
came to be called as Gaja Samhara Moorthy. Sastha was born
to Bikshadana (form of Lord Shiva) and Mohini (form of Lord Vishnu). Lord
Shiva appointed Veerabhadra for the safety and upbringing of Sastha. Thus, Vazhuvur
is considered as the birthplace of Sastha. Both Veerabhadra and Bala Sastha
grace devotees in this
temple.