Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Ratnagiriswarar : As per Hindu mythology, Adisesha and Vayu had a heated argument about their superiority. Lord Indra intervened and proclaimed them to prove their strength. The final verdict was followed, Adisesha should carry the Mount Meru with his thousand heads and Vayu should tear apart the Mount Meru with his strength. Vayu with all his strength blew off Mount Meru, as a result it’s divided into five parts and each part was fallen as precious Gems such as Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, Coral and Sapphire on the different places of the Earth. These sacred lands were turned out prominent worship places of Lord Shiva. The places where Coral landed on Earth came to be known as Thiruvannamalai, Ruby landed as Ratnagiri, Emerald as Engoi Malai, Blue Sapphire as Pothikai and Diamond landed as Kodumudi. Thus, Ratnagiri hill and the presiding deity Lord Ratnagirinathar were originated during this mighty process.

Slaying of Andakasuran : As per another legend, Shiva was waging a war to destroy the demon Andakasuran. Since fresh replicas of the demon were coming from the blood spilt, Shiva created Yogeswari from the flames coming out of his mouth. The Sapta Kannikas created by the power of the Trimurtis, Skanda, Indra and Yama added their power to Yogeswari so that the blood of the demon was swallowed before falling and the Asura was destroyed. In view of this, worshipping the Yogeswari with the Sapta Kannikas, is important in this temple and their shrine is inside a cave in the hill.

Indra worshipping Lord Shiva here daily : It is still believed that Indra used to come and worship Lord through 9 holes opposite to Moolavar in the form of thunder & lightning. To prove that the garland and vastra of Moolavar can be seen burnt on the next day even these years. The abishekam milk will turn to curd.

Thiruvatpokki : As per mythology, a King from North came to this place in search of gem stones (Rathinam). The Lord took the form of a Brahmin and asked the King to fill a tub with Cauvery water and take bath. Despite his best efforts, the King could not fill the tub. The King became angry and hit against the Brahmin. The Lord appeared before the King and stopped the sword (in Tamil Vaal means sword and pokki means remove) and gave darshan and the gem stone. Since Shiva stopped the vaal, the place is known as Vaal pokki (in Tamil, Vaatpokki) and as the Rathinam was given, He is known as Rathnagiriswarar. Even today, the scar mark due to the sword is seen on the Lingam.