Kannayiram Udayar Temple, Kurumanakkudi – Legends
Kannayiram Udaiyar:
As per legend, Indra, the king of Devas, was enamoured
by the beauty of Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama. Indra desired to have Ahalya.
When sage Gautama went to his daily morning ritual bath, Indra in the guise of
Sage Gautama came to the hermitage and requested Ahalya for sexual intercourse.
Though, she knew it is Indra, she consents owing to her curiosity.
Gautama learnt Indra's deception through his
supernatural powers and returned to the ashram. On seeing the sage, Indra took
the form of a cat and tried to flee. The angry sage cursed Indra to bear
thousand eyes on his body. He also cursed Ahalya to become stone.
Realizing her folly, Ahalya begged for forgiveness. He assured her that her sin
would be expiated when the feet of Lord Rama touched her stone form. Indra went
to Brahma and sought relief for his sin.
Lord Brahma advised him to worship Lord Shiva in Kurumanakkudi. Indra
came here, excavated a theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva
condoned his immoral act but forgave him and took all the eyes on Indra’s body
upon himself. Thus, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kannayiram Udaiyar / Sahasranethreswarar
(One with thousand eyes). The eye marks can be still seen in the Lingam.
Kurumaanikkudi:
As per legend, Lord Vishnu in Vamana avathara came to this
place and worshipped Lord Shiva to seek his blessings before proceeding to
King Mahabali’s court. Hence, the
place came to be called as Kurumaanikkudi
(Kuru means short, Maani means Vishnu and Kudi means place in Tamil).
People worshipped Lord
Shiva here:
It is believed that Indra, Vishnu, Sage Mandavya, Manickavasagar, Sekkizhar and Ramalinga Adigalar had worshipped Lord Shiva here.
