Pazhampathi Nathar Temple,
Thiruppunavasal – Legends
Chathur Mukha Linga:
Lord Brahma had to lose his
position as creator as he was not able to explain the meaning of the Pranava
Mantra. As advised by Mother Parvathi, he came to earth, installed a Shivalinga
and worshipped to get back his position. Brahma also created a tank to draw
water for the abishek of Lord Shiva. As the spring was created by him, it is
called as Brahma Theertha. As Lord Brahma has four faces, he made four faces in
the Linga too; hence the Linga came to be known as Chaturmukha Linga (Chaturmukha
– four faces). This was the Linga worshipped by devotees in the early days.
Four Sthala Vrikshams:
As this temple is believed to be in existence during all the
Yugas, four holy trees are attributed to this temple. During the Krutha Yuga, the place was known as Vajravanam and Indirapuram with Chathurkalli
as the holy tree, as Brahmapuram with Kurundha tree in Thretha Yuga, as Virudhakasi
with Magizha tree and as Pazhampathi with Punnai tree in Kali Yuga. All the
four trees are revered as the four Vedas.
Vyagra Nandi:
As per legend, Gargava Rishi
was performing penance in this place. An Asura called Vyagrasura
tried to attack him. The rishi cursed him to become a tiger. As a tiger, he was
roaming around this temple. Once, he encountered Mother
Parvathi and tried to attack her. Mother Parvathi got enraged, took the form of
ferocious Kaali and kicked the tiger. When her foot touched the tiger, it once
again got the normal form without the bad qualities of an asura. He prayed to
the Mother to permit him to be near her. Hence, the Mother converted him to
Nandi (Vyagra Nandi) and allowed him to be in front of her shrine.
Kudavarai Kali:
Mother Parvathi in Kaali form made
her abode in the Mottai Gopuram. She is famously called as Kudavarai Kali. As she
is in ferocious form, lot of sad things started happening in the village. The villagers decided to
close the entrance of the Mottai Gopuram. She is in formless (Aroopam) form and
hence the pooja is done to a Trident (Trisula) in front of a mirror. Devotees
pray here for child boon and safe delivery.
Nandi defeated messengers of Lord Yama here:
Once, a Shiva devotee,
Suseelan from Kanchipuram visited this temple along with his wife. The couples took bath in
Brahma Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva. The couples decided to stay in this place for few days. During their stay, they were
bitten by snake and died. When messengers of Lord Yama came here to take away
the life of Suseelan and his wife, Shiva Ganas and Nandi interfered and fought
with the messengers of Lord Yama. They defeated the messengers of Lord Yama.
Nandi took the couple to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted salvation to the
couple.
The messengers of Lord Yama
went to Lord Yama and briefed him about the incident. Lord Yama realized his
mistake and went to his father, Lord Surya. Lord Suryan advised him to visit this temple and worship Lord Shiva. Lord Yama took bath in
the theerthams here and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before Lord
Yama and instructed Lord Yama that if any person dies in this place, Lord Yama should wait for
some time. Lord Yama agreed and returned to Yamalogam.
Agastya Lingam:
Sage Agastya is believed to
have worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. The Lingam worshipped by
Sage Agastya is called as Agastya Lingam and is situated in the prakaram. Pooja
is offered to this Lingam only on Mondays and the other days, he is not
disturbed as Agasthya is said to be in deep meditation here.
Thiruppunavasal:
As the place is situated at the entrance (Punal) of the
river and sea, the place came to be called as Thiruppunavasal (entrance place).
No Lingodbhava in this temple:
It is said that this temple came into existence much before Thiruvannamalai. Hence, Lingodbhava cannot be seen in the koshta.
Vishnu and Anjaneyar can be seen in the Koshta instead of Lingothbhava.
Chevvai Dosha Parihara Sthalam:
As per legend, Planet Mars
(Sevvai) got relief from a curse given by a Rishi by worshipping Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence, people with Chevvai
Dosham frequent this temple and offer prayers here.
Vruddha Kasi:
Thiruppunavasal is called as Vruddha Kasi. It is believed that
this place was in existence much before Kasi. It is said that people die
in Kasi will attain Mukthi, but people worship Lord
Shiva here will be relieved from all their sins and attain Jeevan Mukthi.
Other Names:
The place was called as Indrapuram, Mahapathipuram,
Punavai, Vriddhapuri, Vajra Thurumavanam, Vanamugam, Kaivalyagnanapuram, Nithyananda
Nagar, Punniya Nagar, Vriddha Kasi, Vriddhapathi, Vajravanam and Dakshina
Chidambaram.
Agastya got Kalyana Kola darshan here:
It is also said that Agastya
got Kalyana Kola darshan of Lord Shiva and Parvathy here.
Nataraja performed his cosmic dance to Sage Agastya
here:
It is said that Nataraja performed
his cosmic dance to Sage Agastya at this temple.
Lord Vinayaga worshipped Lord Shiva to win
Gajamuhasuran:
Lord Vinayaga took bath in
Sivaganga Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva to win Gajamuhasuran.
Lord Chandra got rid of Daksha curse:
It is believed that Lord Chandra
got rid of Daksha curse by worshipping Lord Shiva here.
Indra Theertham:
Indra created Indra Theertham
and worshipped Lord Shiva to get rid from Sage Gautama curse. Indra also worshipped
Agandala Vinayagar here.
Maha Lakshmi worshipped Bhairava here:
Maha Lakshmi worshipped
Bhairava to safeguard Maha Vishnu from any danger.
Vruddha Pureeswarar / Pazhampathi Nathar:
Lord Shiva is called as Vruddha
Pureeswarar / Pazhampathi Nathar indicating the age. Vruddha / Pazha means old.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Lord Brahma, Four
Vedas, Mars, Yama, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Yama,
Airavata, Vasishta and Agasthya had worshipped Lord Shiva here.