Monday, October 18, 2021

Sakshinatheswarar Temple, Thiruppurambiyam – Legends

Sakshinatheswarar Temple, Thiruppurambiyam – Legends

Sakshinatheswarar:

As per legend, Ratnavali, daughter of wealthy Chettiyar from Poompuhar visited this temple with her fiancé, Dhanaguptan of Madurai. Unfortunately, the youth died of snake bite but was restored to life by Saint Gnanasambandar who was incidentally present in the place by singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was very much pleased with the request of his devotee and Dhanaguptan woke up from the death bed as if nothing had happened to him.

Sambandar also conducted their wedding, with Lord Shiva and the Vanni tree as witnesses. Lord Shiva later on went to Madurai to testify as a witness and confirmed that the marriage of these two people was indeed fixed earlier. As Lord Shiva testified as a witness, he came to be called as Sakshinatheswarar. The Vanni tree is in the second prakara. This episode finds a chapter in Thiruvilayadal Puranam (an epic on Lord Shiva written by Paranjothi Munivar) and also in the Sthalapuranam.

Pralayam Katha Vinayagar:

There is a unique Vinayaga named Pralayam Katha Vinayagar (Pralayam means destruction of Earth by the forces of Sea Water, Katha means Safe guard, Vinayagar means Lord Ganesha) in the temple premises. It is believed that during the end of Kritha Yuga, the Earth was destroyed by the water forces of 7 Seas. Thiruppurambiyam existed during the Kritha Yuga and Lord Shiva wished to preserve this place and hence, ordered his son, Lord Vinayaga to safeguard this place.

Lord Ganesha using the powers of Pranava Mantra (Om) controlled the forces of the seven seas into one well and saved this place from Pralaya. Devotees can see the well that contained seven seas in the temple premises even today. The Well is known as Ezhu Kadal Kinaru or Saptha Sagara Koopam. Lord Varuna created an idol of Lord Ganesha from sea shells & other materials obtained from the sea and worshipped him as Pralayam Katha Vinayakar.

This idol of Ganesha is still worshiped in this temple. On the night before Vinayaka Chathurthi, a special anointing with 100 kgs of honey is done to Vinayaga. The anointing with honey is performed throughout the night. During the anointing, the honey poured on the idol will be absorbed by the Idol. The deity shines like made of Gold on that day. No abishek is done during other days.

Thiruppurambiyam:

According to the legend, during the great deluge (Pralayam) of the earth, the flood waters did not enter this particular place and branched off. Hence this place came to be called as Thiruppurambiyam.

King Haridwajan got cured of Muyalagam here:

King Haridwajan of Magadha Kingdom was suffering from a disease called Muyalagam due to the curse of Sage Durvasa got cured in this temple by the grace of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva darshan to poor woodcutter:

It is believed that Lord Shiva granted darshan to a poor woodcutter in the form of Dakshinamoorthy who was carrying fuel to the temple from the banks of the tank in the east of the temple.

Other Names:

Thirupurambiyam was called as Kalyanamaanagar and Punnagavanam in ancient times.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Sage Agasthya, Dronacharya, Brahma, Sugriva, four Sanakathi rishis and Sage Vishwamitra worshipped Lord Shiva here.