Pasupatheeswarar Temple,
Aavoor – Religious Significance
Mada Kovils:
Kochengat Chola was an
early Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints)
of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a
spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of
the Lord Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his
mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the baby red eyes said
Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which
literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat
Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils,
temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in
the Chola empire. It is believed that this temple is one of the temple built by
him.
Paadal Petra Sthalams:
This temple is considered as one
of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the
early medieval Thevaram hymns. This temple is considered as the 138th
Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 21st
sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung hymns in praise of
Lord Shiva of this temple.
Pancha Bhairavar Sthalam:
The temple is known for the Pancha Bhairavar, the five images of Bhairavar and is known as Pancha Bhairava Sthalam. This temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for Pithru Dosha and Drishti Dosha. It is said that one would be relieved from these doshas after offering sincere prayers to the Pancha Bhairava idols in this temple.