Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

LEGEND 1 - The Pallava King Mahendra Varma (600-630 A.D.) tried to kill Appar by various means but by the grace of Lord Shiva, Saint Appar escaped unhurt. The king then tied him to a stone and threw him in the river. Again, by the grace of Lord Shiva, he has a miraculous escape. So, pleased with his songs, the lord gave him all protections against the king's wish. The stone became a boat and he safely reached the shore near Thirupathiripuliyur. This Place is even now known as Karaiyeravittakuppam, a festival is being celebrated in the month of Chittirai to commemorate this miracle. Hence Lord Shiva helped Appar to reach seashore safely, he is called as Karaiyearteeswarar.

LEGEND 2 - Though the Parvathi won all the time the lord denied it. Hence, Parvathi said that she will cover the eyes of Shiva. By saying she covered the eyes of the lord. The entire World plunged into darkness. A few seconds there, seemed infinite time for gods. The moment of that occasion led all human creations including other gods to realize a long duration of Yugas of inactiveness. After realizing that she has committed a grave mistake prayed for forgiveness. Lord Shiva advised Parvathi to go to earth and pray in all the 108 Shiva sthalams and in which sthala the left eye & shoulder vibrates, there she should penance. Accordingly, in the course of sthala yatra of Parvathi when she came to pray in this Sthala (Thirupathiripuliyur Padaleeswarar Temple) the devine occasion of vibration of left eye and left shoulder happened. So, Parvathi started doing her penance in the Aruba form (Arunthava Nayagi) and married Lord Shiva.

LEGEND 3 - Upamanyu son of Vyagrapadarishi while offering worship his feet mistakenly hit the Devi who cursed him to become a hare. He repented his action and Devi ordained him to pray the Lord Padaleeswarar to get rid of the curse. The hare after wandering many years was one day hunted by the legendary king Adirajan. The hare after getting wounded by the arrow of Adirajan ran away and came in contact with the branches of this Padhiri tree. The touch of the tree resulted Upamanyu regaining his human form.

LEGEND 4 - Once Sage Toomappur who was doing penance here. He cursed Manganar to become a hare for disturbing his penance. The Sage in the form of hare performed penance in the Padaleeswarar Temple and regained his human form.

LEGEND 5 - Lord Padaleeswarar changed the course of the river Gadilam for saint Manikkavacakar to worship without difficulties.

LEGEND 6 - Tirunavukkarasar was thrown into the sea by Jains with a stone tied to him – with the grace of the lord he is said to have floated to the shore near here. Thirugnanasambandar is said to have stood outside and rendered his hymns hesitating to walk on the temple for which Thirunavukkarasar has rendered service with his hands, the spot is marked with a temple.