Patteeswarar Temple, Perur –
Legends
Patteeswarar:
Once,
Lord Brahma fell asleep in the mid of creation activity due to tiredness. Knowing this,
Thirumal summoned Kamadhenu and commanded Kamadhenu to perform penance on Lord
Shiva, get his blessings and carry out the creation activity in place of Lord
Brahma. As instructed, Kamadhenu performed penance on Lord Shiva in Himalayas.
Kamadhenu did not the blessings of Lord Shiva despite the penance. Sage Narada
saw Kamadhenu and explained about the importance of Dakshina Kailasam (Perur)
to Kamadhenu.
Accordingly,
Kamadhenu came to this place along with his calf Patti. It was pouring its milk
on the Shivalinga here hidden in an anthill. Its calf Patti in a playful
mood hit the anthill and demolished it. Shocked Kamadhenu fell at the feet
of Lord and sought his pardon. Lord Shiva appeared before the divine cow
and said that he was only pleased with the calf. Lord Shiva further said that
the place was the first among the salvation Sthalams to his devotees.
Lord
Shiva promised Kamadhenu that he would grant the creation boon to Kamadhenu at Thirukarugavur
and advised it to perform penance there. Lord Shiva mercifully said that
this place (Perur) would be praised as Kamadenupuram and Pattipuri after name
of Kamadhenu and its calf and he would be called as Patteeswarar. The hoof
marks of Patti are still visible on the Swayambhu Lingam here. Sculpture of Kamadhenu
worshipping Lingam is also seen in the walls of the sanctum.
Naatru
Nadavu Thiruvizha:
There is an interesting
festival called Naatru Nadavu Thiruvizha celebrated in this temple. It is said
that this festival was part of ancient Indra Vizha, a grand festival celebrated
by ancient Tamils. There is an interesting
story behind this festival. Once, Lord Shiva visited Thiruperur along with his
consort Parvathy. Both took the form of farmer couple and went to plant the
seedlings in the form. Lord Shiva knew about his devotee Sundara Nayanar that
he would visit him at any cost. Hence, Lord Shiva warned Nandi not to inform
Sundarar his whereabouts.
As
usual, Sundarar visited the temple and found Lord Shiva was not there. Hence,
Sundarar enquired Nandi about his absence in the temple. Despite Lord Shiva’s
warning, Nandi told Sundarar about the location of Lord Shiva. Sundarar went to
the farm and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva got angry on Nandi and hit Nandi
with the shovel for not adhering to his instruction. Hence, the jaw of Nandi
looks flat in this temple. Nandi undertook severe penance on Lord Shiva in
repentance. Lord Shiva forgave Nandi and performed his Thandava dance to Nandi.
Pirava
Puli & Irava Panai:
The sacred trees associated
with the temple are the palm and tamarind trees, called Irava Panai and Pirava
Puli. There is a tamarind tree praised as Pirava Puli in front of the temple. The
seeds of which do not germinate if sown, indicating that if one surrenders to
Lord Shiva he will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. When one
takes the Tamarind seed from here and places it in another town, one finds much
to one’s surprise that the seed does not find growth in that new region outside
of the temple zone. The Palm Tree is praised as Irava Panai meaning that it
would never fall down meaning that those devoted to Lord Patteeswarar would
ever be standing straight with name and fame.
Kanga Sabai:
There
is an interesting story behind with the construction of the Kanaga Sabai
in 17th century AD. When
it was about to be inaugurated, a small boy pointed out a defect in one of the elephant
sculptures saying that it had a crack with a toad inside. When this was
proved to be true, the chief sculptor Kamba Aasariyar cut his right hand for
having overlooked this flaw while selecting the stone.
Moksha Sthalam:
As the place was declared as Moksha Sthalam by Lord Shiva himself, the bones of the
dead which are immersed in the nearby Noyyal river, turn into white stones
after 144 days. It is further believed that Lord Shiva utters the
Panchakshara Mantram (Na Ma Shi Va Ya) in the ears of the beings dying
here.
Ananda
Thandava:
It is said that Lord Shiva
performed his Ananda Thandava to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Nandi, Sundarar,
Goddess Kali, Kalava Muni, Gomuni and Patti Muni here. It is
said that during his Thandava dance, the anklet from Lord Shiva’s leg fell in
Chidambaram.
Other Names:
Perur
was also called as Kamadenupuram, Kamadenupuri, Pattipuri, Aadhipuri, Dakshina Kailasham,
Pipilaranyam, Thenupuri, Thava Siddhapuram, Gnanapuram, Kalyanapuram, Pirava
Neri Thalam, Pasupathipuram, Melai Chidambaram in ancient times.
No germs in cow dung:
It is
unique to notice that there are no germs in the cow dung in this place. The
cow dung of Perur is said never to lose its flavour.
Adi Shankarar prayed to Lord
Shiva for salvation for his mother here:
It is
believed that Adi Shankarar prayed to Lord Shiva for salvation for his mother
here.
Jeeva Samadhi of Gorakkar
Siddhar:
It is
believed that Gorakkar Siddhar attained Jeeva
Samadhi at Perur.
People worshipped Lord Shiva
here:
It is
believed that Kamadhenu, Patti, Brahma, Vishnu, Kali, Vyagrapada, Adi Shankara,
Patanjali, Parasurama, Kalva Rishi, Gomuni, Patti Muni, Sundarar, Pandavas,
Karikala Chola, Kulasekara Pandian, Muchukunda and Arunagirinathar had worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.
