Monday, October 25, 2021

Yogeeswarar Temple, Mangaimadam – Legends

Yogeeswarar Temple, Mangaimadam – 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)

Yogeeswaram:

As per legend, Lord Aghora Moorthy, a fierce form of Lord Shiva annihilated the demon Maruthuvasuran in Thiruvengadu. As he killed the demon, he was afflicted with Brahmahatya dosha. To get relief from Brahmahatya dosha and to calm his ferocious nature, he came to Mangaimadam and performed meditation (Yoga) here. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Yogeeswarar and the place came to be called as Yogeeswaram. 

Yogeeswarar & Yogambal:

As per legend, Twelve rishis performed penance on Lord Shiva in Mangaimadam. Lord Shiva appeared before the rishis and blessed them. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Yogeeswarar and Mother came to be called as Yogambal.

Yoga Dakshinamoorthy:

As per legend, Brihaspati, the guru of Devas and Shukra, the guru of Asuras were afflicted with graha dosha. Both of them came here, worshipped Yoga Dakshinamoorthy in this temple and got relief from the graha dosha.

Mangai Madam:

Mangai Madam was the headquarters of King Thirumangai, the chieftain of Thiruvali, a smaller kingdom within the greater Chola Empire. He offered food to 1008 people for a year here to embrace Vaishnavism and marry Kumudhavalli. Thus, the place came to be called as Mangai Madam in memory of the Thirumangai. He built an Annachathram to feed people at this place.