Bheemeswarar Temple, Athalayur – Legends
Athalaiyur:
Once, Lord Shiva decided to perform his Thiruvilaiyadal
(holy play) with Goddess Parvathy in Kailash.
He took the form of Vilva Tree and Parvathy identified him easily. Lord Shiva
playfully took several forms and Goddess Parvathy identified Lord Shiva easily
whichever form he took. Lord Shiva decided to take a form which would be
difficult to guess by Parvathy. He took the form of a cow and came to earth.
He came to this
village and started grazing the agricultural fields of the villagers. The
villagers got angry and tied the cow in a pole at the centre of the
village. They waited for the owner of the cow so that they could get
reparation from the owner of the cow. Meanwhile, Parvathi reached the
village searching for her husband. She was the cow tied to the pole, felt
sorry for the cow and released it from the pole.
Astonishingly, the cow disappeared, and Lord Shiva
appeared before her. Mother Parvathy was so happy (Anandam means happy) on
seeing Lord Shiva after an arduous search. Hence, she came to be called as
Ananda Nayagi. As the cow (Aa means cow in Tamil) was released from the tie
(Thalai means tie in Tamil), the place came to be called as Athalaiyur.
Bheemeswarar:
As per legend, When the Pandavas went on pilgrimage to
several temples to regain their lost kingdom, it is said that Bheema came to this
place, took bath in the temple pond and worshipped Lord Shiva for regaining
their lost kingdom and for victory in Kurukshetra war. He did pooja to Lord
Shiva with lotus flowers and Vilva leaves daily. Finally, Lord Shiva blessed
Bheema and assured him of victory in the war. As Lord Shiva was worshipped by
Bheema here, Lord Shiva came to be called as Bheemeswarar.