Thiru Payatrunathar Temple, Thiru Payathangudi –
Legends
Thiru Payatrunathar:
In ancient period, Nagapattinam was a centre of export
and import trade. Horses were imported from Arabia and pepper
was exported in exchange. Once, a trader brought pepper bags for
export. He came to know about a duty levied on pepper export. Also, he
found there was no duty levied on pulse export. The duty levied on pepper
export would eat out the profit of the trader. He prayed to Lord Shiva
saying that he would have to meet with heavy loss if he paid the duty and
begged him to convert the bags of pepper to pulses till he passed the check
post.
He slept there at night. Pleased with his prayers, Lord
Shiva converted the bags of pepper to pulses and informed him in his dream. The
trader happily started his journey to Nagapattinam. The officials at the check
post checked the bags and levied no duty as the bags contained pulses. The
trader reached the port at Nagapattinam and sold his product for a profit. The
trader spent his profit in renovating this
temple. Pulse in English means Payaru in Tamil. Thus, Lord
Shiva came to be called as Thiru Payatrunathar and the place came to be called
as Thirupayattrur.
Muktapureeswarar:
As per legend, it is believed that Lord Shiva of this
temple provides salvation (Mukthi) to the devotees. He came to be
called as Muktapureeswarar. Poyya Mozhi Siddhar also praised Lord Shiva of this
temple in his hymn as “Patrirurai Muthakapureesa”.
Parihara Sthalam for Eye
related problems:
As per legend, a person named Panchanathavaanan from
this village was suffering from eye related ailment. He prayed to Lord Shiva of
this
temple for cure. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva provided cure
to his disease.
Bhairava Maharishi worshipped Shiva here:
It is believed that Bhairava Maharishi is said to have
worshipped Lord Shiva of this
temple.
