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.