Adhi Rathneswarar Temple,
Thiruvadanai – Legends
Thiruvadanai:
Vaaruni is the son
of Varuna, the God of rain. Once, he stayed in the Ashram of Sage Durvasa along
with his friends. Sage Durvasa was in deep meditation in one day. Vaaruni’s
friends played in the Ashram using the fruits and flowers in the ashram and
disturbed the penance of the sage Durvasa. The angry sage cursed
Vaaruni for his deed to become a strange creature with the head of a goat
(Aadu) and body of an elephant (Yanai). Vaaruni realized his folly and
consulted the sages nearby. They suggested him that he should go to this
temple in the Pandya kingdom, pray to Lord Shiva for his
remedy.
Vaaruni followed the
advice. Lord appeared before him and enquired his wish. Vaaruni in his Aja
Gaja (Aadu-Yanai) form begged the Lord that his life should be a lesson to
those behaving badly towards respectful elders and that this
place should be known as Thiru
Aadu Yanai (Thiruvadanai) till the end of Kaliyuga. Lord Shiva
granted his and the
place came to be called as Thiruvadanai.
Lord Shiva came to be called as Aadanai Nathar and Aja Gajeswarar. He also regained
his normal form after worshiping Lord Shiva at this
temple.
Adhi Rathneswarar:
Lord Surya (Sun) was very
proud of his radiating power. When the brightness on Lord Shiva rose up,
Nandhi, the bull vehicle of the Lord Shiva, drew it, the Sun losing his
brightness. Sun begged Nandhi to show him the solution. Nandi advised
Sun to worship Lord of Thiruvadanai
installing him on a seat made of sapphire gems for remedy. Sun being
the Adhi - first among the nine planets worshipped Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord
Shiva came to be called as Adhi Rathneswarar. When abishek is performed on the
Lord, he turns blue.
Arjuna got the knowledge of using Pasupatha Asthra here:
As per legend, Arjuna got
the Pasupatha missile from Lord Shiva during the exile of Pandavas. Arjuna
was asked by Lord Shiva to come to Thiruvadanai
to know how to use the weapon. As a mark of his devotion, Arjuna installed the Somaskanda
in this
temple.
Vilvavanam:
Thiruvadanai is believed to have been covered with Vilva
forest and hence the
place came to be called as Vilvavanam.
Drop of nectar fell here:
It is said that a drop of
nectar (Amrita) from Deva Loka fell here and created this
place.
Mukthipuram:
Those worship Lord Shiva of this
temple will attain Salvation (Mukthi). Hence, the
place came to be called as Mukthipuram.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sages Agasthya, Sage Brighu, Markandeya
and divine cow Kamadhenu had worshipped Lord Shiva of this
temple.
Other Names:
Thiruvadanai is also called as Parijatha Vanam, Vilvavanam,
Mukthipuram, Adhi Rathneswaram, Markandeyapuram and Gomkuktheeswaram.
Existence of Thiruvadanai in all four Yugas:
It is said that Thiruvadanai
is in existence in all four Yugas.