Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

King Killi Valavan, grandfather of Karikal Valavan was suffering from skin problems. Palace doctors advised him that he should have a bath in a reputed Shiva Sthala. He came to this place for a sea bath. The place was dense with Mullai plants which bound the legs of the horses. They could not move further. The king removed the plants with his sword. The sword hit a Shivalinga hidden under the bushes. It began to bleed. The king was shocked and thought he had killed somebody and on cleaning the place, he found the linga bleeding and attempted to kill himself for the mistake. Lord with Mother Parvathi immediately appeared before him on his Nandhi vehicle and protected Killivalavan. Thus the place came to be known as Tiru Mullai Vayil. The scar on the linga is still visible. One Susavi, eledest son of Vamadeva placed his father’s bones after his demise in holy waters. When he put the bones in the waters in this place, they became diamond stones. He immediately performed all the last rites for the father in this place that granted total salvation to the father. It is still believed that holy ganga springs here on the northwest direction of the temple. Two Sages by the name of Gowthama and Gargeya did penance at this place called 'Mullaivanam'. A couple by name Nidhruva and Vedikai stayed in the same ashram and rendered service to the Sages. Since the couple had no children they requested to the Sages. The Sages advised the couple to worship Sri Garbarakshambigai. The couple did that with intense devotion and their prayers got answered. Vedikai got conceived. During her later stage of pregnancy and while her husband Nidhruva was away from home she was in a faint state due to the strain of pregnancy. At this moment, a Sage by name Urdhuvapada came to her abode and asked for alms. Due to her unconscious state of mind, she did not respond to that Sage's request. The Sage was enraged at this apparent indifference and cursed her without knowing the exact reason for her silence. Due to the curse, her fetus got disintegrated and descended. Shocked Vedikai prayed to the goddess in great distress. The goddess appeared before her, protected the fetus, preserved it in a sacred pot until it developed into a male child and presented it to the devoted couple. The parents named their child as 'Naidhuruvan'.