Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Kathiruppu – Legends
Ekadasa Rudra Kshetrams
& Ekadasa Divyadesams:
As per legend, Lord Shiva performed his rudra thandava
at Thirunangur after the death of his consort Sati in the Daksha Yajna. His
dance was so aggressive that whenever a lock of hair from Lord Shiva touches
the ground, a Rudra, form of Lord Shiva, emerged from the ground. Eleven forms
of Lord Shiva emerged and were performing rudra thandava around Thirunangur.
The eleven places where Lord Shiva performed rudra
thandava are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are
located. They are;
1.
Sundareswarar Temple, Annappanpettai (Rudra Peedam)
2.
Amirthapureeswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Soma Peedam)
3.
Airavatheswarar Temple, Perunthottam (Ugra Pirana Peedam)
4.
Bhaktavachaleswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Mahadeva Peedam)
5.
Kailasanathar Temple, Thirunangur (Beema Peedam)
6.
Sundareswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Bava Peedam)
7.
Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Kaathiruppu (Sathyajotha Peedam)
8.
Mathangeeswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Thathpurusha Peedam)
9.
Naganathar Temple, Sempathaniruppu (Sarva Peetam)
10.
Yogeeswarar Temple, Mangaimadam (Vamadeva Peedam)
11.
Nayanavaratheswarar Temple, Nainipuram (Agora Peedam)
The celestial beings were worried that if the dance
continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. Hence, they
prayed to Lord Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place. Lord
Shiva’s anger got subsidized on seeing Lord Vishnu. Further, Lord Shiva
requested Lord Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. Acceding to his
request, Lord Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur.
The eleven places where Lord Vishnu appeared are
believed to be where the
eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. They are;
1.
Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamudakoothan Perumal Temple)
2.
Thiruchemponsey (Perarulaalan Perumal Temple)
3.
Thirukkavalampadi (Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple)
4.
Thirumanikkoodam (Varadaraja Perumal Temple)
5.
Thirumanimadam (Narayanan Perumal Temple)
6.
Thiruppaarthanpalli (Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple)
7.
Thiruthetriyambalam (Palli Konda Perumal Temple)
8.
Thiruthevanarthogai (Madhava Perumal Temple)
9.
Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram (Vaikunta Nathan Perumal Temple)
10.
Thiruvanpurushothamam (Purushotama Perumal Temple)
11.
Thiruvellakkulam (Annan Perumal Temple)
Shiva Peedam Temples:
Once, Sage Mathanga, Maanseeka Putra of Lord Brahma came
to earth during a maha pralaya. He found the earth was flooded with water and
was searching for a suitable place to perform penance. He could not able to
find a suitable place and sought the help of Sage Narada. Narada suggested him
to go to Swetha Vanam. He found a place and started his intense penance. To
test his devotion, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini (enchantress) came to
this place and tried to disturb his penance.
Angered by his act, Sage Mathanga cursed Lord Vishnu to
be in feminine form forever. Lord Vishnu sought his pardon and asked for relief
from the curse. Sage Mathanga advised Lord Vishnu to worship Lord Shiva just
like him for relief. As advised Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in ten
places, Those ten places are considered as Shiva Peedam Temples.
The Shiva Peedam Temples are;
1.
Sundareswarar Temple, Annappanpettai (Rudra Peedam)
2.
Amirthapureeswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Soma Peedam)
3.
Airavatheswarar Temple, Perunthottam (Ugra Pirana Peedam)
4.
Bhaktavachaleswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Mahadeva Peedam)
5.
Kailasanathar Temple, Thirunangur (Beema Peedam)
6.
Sundareswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Bava Peedam)
7.
Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Kaathiruppu (Sathyajotha Peedam)
8.
Mathangeeswarar Temple, Thirunangur (Thathpurusha Peedam)
9.
Naganathar Temple, Sempathaniruppu (Sarva Peetam)
10.
Yogeeswarar Temple, Mangaimadam (Vamadeva Peedam)
11.
Nayanavaratheswarar Temple, Nainipuram (Agora Peedam)
Swarnapuram:
As per legend, Sundarar came to this temple for
requesting gold coins from Lord Shiva. He sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva
for gold coins, but Lord Shiva hid from Sundarar. Sensing the playful nature of
her husband, Goddess Parvathy blessed Sundarar with lots of gold coins. As
Goddess Parvathy gifted Sundarar with gold coins, the
place came to be called as Swarnapuram,
Lord Shiva came to be called as Swarnapureeswarar and Goddess Parvathy came to
be called as Swarnambigai. In memory of the event, Kanakabhishekam is performed
to Sundarar with coins on Vaikasi Visakam.
Kathiruppu:
As per legend, Sage Kathyayana and his wife together performed
intense penance here on Lord Shiva to bless them with a child. Pleased with
their prayers, Goddess Parvathi herself was born as their daughter. The couple
named her as Katyayini. When she attained marriageable age, the sage prayed to
Lord Shiva that he should marry her. Lord Shiva appeared before the Sage
Kathyayana and assured that he would marry his daughter at Thiruveezhimizhalai.
Later, when Katyayini came to her birthplace along with
Lord Shiva, she brought with them the Vilam Pazham given to her by Mizhalai
Kurumbar. She planted the fruit and it became a tree. This tree is the current
Sthala Vriksham of the
temple. As Katyayini waited for Lord Shiva till his marriage here, the
place came to be called as Kathiruppu.
Parihara Sthalam for Naga
dosham & Kala Sarpa dosham:
As per legend, Vasuki, the serpent king, lost all his
strength due to the curse of Mayura Vinayaga. Vasuki sought the advice of Lord
Vishnu to regain its lost strength. Lord Vishnu advised Vasuki to install a
Shiva Linga at the banks of Cauvery river at this place and worship Lord Shiva
of this
temple for regaining the lost strength. Vasuki did as advised and
regained its strength. Hence, this
temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for Naga dosham and Kala
Sarpa dosham.
Chandra got relief from
Gautama rishi curse here:
Once, Gauthama Rishi cursed Lord Chandra for helping
Lord Indra for his immoral activity. Lord Chandran came here and worshipped to
Goddess Parvathy for relief. Pleased with his worship, Goddess Parvathy
provided relief to his curse. Thus, the crescent can be seen adorning the head
of the goddess Parvathy here.