Sunday, October 10, 2021

Pandaravadai Kailasanathar Temple, Vazhuvur – Legends

Pandaravadai Kailasanathar Temple, Vazhuvur – Legends

Gaja Samhara Moorthy:

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. Therefore, this aspect of Lord Shiva came to be called as Kirthivasa (one who wears an elephant skin as 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.

After the Gaja Samharam, Lord Shiva was returning from Darukavana back to Vazhuvur through Pandaravadai. Lord Shiva himself installed a Shiva Linga here under the name of Kailasanathar. The Bana portion represents Lord Shiva and Avudaiyar portion represents Mohini (Lord Vishnu). Worshipping this Lingam will provide the benefit of worshipping both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Mada Kovils:

Kochengat Chola was an early Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Lord Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the baby red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one of the temple built by him.

Kiruthabahara Theertham:

Once, a brahmin named Dharmavan lived in a village on the southern bank of the Cauvery river. He led a precarious life and did not believe in the existence of gods. He never showed respect to his parents. Once, he went to Mayiladuthurai during the Tamil month of Aipasi for Thula Snanam. He met a girl from hunter community in Mayiladuthurai and married her. He never mend his ways even after the marriage.

He fell into poverty and afflicted with diseases due to his sins. He realised his mistakes and decided to do a pilgrimage. He went to several temples along with his wife for relief. Finally, he reached this temple and prayed to Lord Shiva sincerely. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him and advised him to take bath in Kiruthabahara Theertham for relief. Dharmavan did as instructed by Lord Shiva and got relief.

Parvathapuram:

As the temple was located on top of a man made mountain (Parvatham), the place came to be called as Parvathapuram and Lord Shiva came to be called as Parvatha Lingam. Pandaravadai had been mentioned in 17th chapter of Suthapura Mahatmiyam.