Pathanjali Manoharar Temple, Vilamal – Legends
Thiru
Vilamal:
As per legend, Sages Patanjali and Vyagrapada performed
penance on Lord Shiva for his Ananda Thandavam (cosmic dance) at Chidambaram.
Pleased with their penance, Lord Shiva performed his Ananda Thandavam at Chidambaram.
Elated by the dance performance of Lord Shiva, the sages requested Lord Shiva
to perform Ajaba Nadanam and Rudra Thandavam for them. Further, they also
requested Lord Shiva to show his Thiruvadi (feet). Lord Shiva advised them to
go to Thiruvarur
to witness it.
As per the advice, they came to Thiruvarur
and saw Shiva Lingams everywhere on the ground. Both the sages worshipped goddess
Kamalambigai of Thiruvarur
Thyagaraja Temple. She advised them to worship Lord Shiva at Vilamal to
realize their wish. Sage Patanjali installed a Shiva Lingam made of sand and
worshipped it. As the Shiva Lingam was made by Sage Patanjali, Lord Shiva came
to be called as Patanjali Manoharar. Pleased with their worship, Lord Shiva
blessed them with Ajaba Nadanam and showed them his Thiruvadi (left feet) darshan
at this
temple.
Hence, this
place came to be called as Thiruvadi
Kshetram / Sivapatha Sthalam / Thiru Vilamal and the Thiruvadi / Vilamal (holy
feet) of Lord Shiva came to be called as Rudra Padam. It is believed that it is
auspicious to worship Thiruvadi of Lord Shiva at this
temple. It is said that Lord Shiva performed his Ajaba Nadanam in the
north eastern side of the
temple. Thus, Nandi can be seen looking in that direction. It is also said
that Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Musukunda Chakravarthy and Devas were present at this
time.
Emperor
Dasharatha worshipped Lord Shiva here:
As per legend, Emperor Dasharatha, father of Lord Rama
visited several temples before performing the Putra Kameshti Yaga for getting
children. This
temple is considered one among them.
People
worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Musukunda
Chakravarthy, Surya, Devas, Sage Patanjali, Sage Vyagrapada, Sage Agastya and
Dasaratha had worshipped Lord Shiva here.
