Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Lord Mahavishnu and Veda : It is believed that Lord Brahma created both the celestial gods and the demons. These two groups were constantly engaged in battle with one another. While the demons (asuras) used muscle power, the celestial gods (devas) used the power of the sacred texts - Vedas. Once, two demons - Madhu and Kaithaba tricked the celestial gods to steal the Veda, chopped it into pieces and hid it in the bottom of the sea. Devas sought the help of Lord Mahavishnu to recover the Vedas. After worshiping Lord Shiva here, Lord Mahavishnu fought the demons and brought the Veda back to this place. Lord Shiva put it back in order and purified it.

Serpent Vasuki : Another legend associated with this place is that serpent Vasuki (king of serpants), who had received “Shiva Dheekshai” from Sage Upamanyu, had worshiped Lord Shiva here. Impressed by his penance, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared from the ant-hill, blessed him and wore him as an ornament around his neck. Hence the lord here is called “Otreeswarar” and “Padampakkanathar”.

Kaliyanar : Thiruvotriyur is the birth place of Kaliya Nayanaar, one of the 63 Nayanmars and a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He was a very wealthy oil merchant and wanted to perform services for Lord Shiva. Aware that lighting of lamps in the temple is one of the noblest services, he started lighting the lamps (“Thiruvilakku Thondu”) in and around the temple every day without fail. Lord Shiva wanted to test his piety and made him poor. As Kalianar was left with no money to buy oil for the lighting of lamps - he sold all his possessions, did manual labour, and even tried to sell his wife but found it impossible. Finally, he decided to cut his throat and light the lamps with his blood. Lord Shiva appeared before him. Made his devotion public and elevated him to the status of a Nayanar. This event is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aadi on Jyeshtha star day (Kettai in Tamil). On this day people light lamps in and around this temple to honour Kaliya Nayanar.

Elelasingar : Once Elelasingar - an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva was in possession of some valuable ornaments which were supposed to be given to the king. Two Shiva devotees came to him from Kasi and asked him for those ornaments. It is believed that Lord Shiva instructed Elelasingar to give those jewels to the devotees which he promptly obeyed. When king came and asked for the ornaments, Elelasingar stood speechless. However Lord Shiva came to his rescue and gave him those precious jewels. Hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as “Manickathiyagar” (Manickam in Tamil means Diamond stones). 

Ezhuthariyum Peruman : Another legend associated with this temple is that a king from the “Surya Vamsam” dynasty - Maan Dhada, a staunch Shiva devotee, established many charitable institutions. Because of his continued charitable deeds his longevity was increasing. He was vexed with his life on earth and yearned for a peaceful death. He consulted with many learned scholars and they advised him that his longevity was due to his charitable deeds. They told him to stop all his charitable and religious donations henceforth. Accordingly he wrote a deed and kept it in a safe but still his death was not forthcoming. Again, he called and consulted his advisors who asked him to show the deed. Surprisingly, his deed had been modified and had an insertion of the words “Except Thiruvotriyur”, which the king did not write. The king realized and strongly believed that Lord Shiva himself had done this correction. Thus the lord here is also called “Ezhuthariyum Peruman”, literally translated as the “lord who knows how to write”. There is a mention about this incident in the celebrated Peria Puranam written by Saint Sekkizhar.

Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar : Another legend associated with Thiruvotriyur is that concerning Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar’s life. It is believed that he was an attendant of Lord Shiva by the name Alala Sundararan in Mount Kailash. There he came across two girls, Aninthithai and Kamalini, who were attendants to Goddess Parvathi and wanted to marry them. Knowing his desire, Lord Shiva blessed them to born on earth. Alala Sundaran was born as Nambiyarurar, Kamalini as Paravai Nachiyar and Aninthithai as Sangili Nachiyar, in different locations. During his pilgrimage in Thiruvarur, Nambiyarurar (Sundarar) met Paravai Nachiyar and in Thiruvotriyur he met Sangili Nachiyar. At the behest of Lord Shiva, Sundarar married Sangili Nachiar under the Makizha tree here. It is said that under this tree Sundarar promised Sangili Nachiyar that he would be with her forever. It is believed that Lord Shiva hid behind this tree and Sundarar’s promise was actually addressed to Lord Shiva and not to Sangili Nachiyar. It is also said that Lord Shiva himself solemnized this marriage. In both the places – at Thiruvarur and Thiruvotriyur, it is believed that Lord Shiva had played a major role in getting Sundarar married to these two girls. The wedding event under the Makizha tree is known as “Makizhadi Sevai” and Lord Shiva’s foot prints can be seen under this tree. Devotees who are facing obstacles in their wedding proposals worship the lord’s feet here and adorn it with sandal paste with the hope that the obstacles would be removed. Makizha tree, the Sthala viruksham of this temple, where Sundaramurthy Nayanar is believed to have married Sangili Nachiyar, can still be seen in the second corridor of this temple.