Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

LEGEND 1 - Lord Shiva caused a severe stomach pain to Appar. None in the Jain camp could cure him. He came to sister Thilagavathy, fell at her feet for relief. The affectionate sister took the brother to Veerattaneswarar shrine, chanted the Panchakshara-five letters-Na Ma Shi Vaa Ya – and put the sacred ash on his forehead. Appar also consumed the ash and was miraculously cured instantly of his deadly stomach pain. Out came spontaneously Appar’s first hymn called Kodhil Neediya Tirupathigam beginning with the line “Kootru Aayinavaru Vilakka hileer”. Pleased with his poetic skill, Lord Shiva honoured Appar with the title Tiru Navukku Arasar-Tirunavukkarasar meaning king of tongues.

LEGEND 2 - Three wicked demons, Tharukakshan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali performed severe penance on Lord Brahmma and obtained powerful boons that would keep them ever alive without death. With this boon, they began to harass the Devas and others. All of them appealed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva made Earth his Rahth, Sun and Moon the wheels, Brahmma the charioteer and the Devas his army. He made a bow of the Meru Mount, Vasuki the serpent the chord, Vishnu the bow with Agni (fire) the sharp point and mounted on the Rahth. Suddenly, the axis of the Rath broke. Immediately, prayers were offered to Lord Vinayaka for the remedy. Lord began the March and the Devas accompanying the lord thought that lord would win the war with their help only. Realizing their pride, Shiva used no weapons on the enemies. He simply laughed at them. A fire ball came out of his laughter and reduced the demons to ashes. Realizing their folly, Devas bowed down their heads in shame. The arrogance of both the demons and the Devas were destroyed simultaneously by the lord. Lord pardoned two demons and made them his security guards-dwarapalakas. One became player of his Kudamuzha instrument. This is the story celebrated as Tiripura Samharam.