Moolavar: Sri Vadaranyeswarar
Amman: Sri Brahmarambal
A padal petra sthalam, 44th paadal petra sthalams out of the 276 where all the “Moovars” as well as Karaikal Ammauhave rendered their pathigams.Also this kshetram is 15th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. This is one of the five places where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance - ‘Oorthava / Kali Thandavam’. The hall where he performed this dance is called “Rathina Sabhai (gem hall)”.
The other four places are –
Chidambaram - Por Sabhai (gold hall),
Madurai – Velli Sabhai (silver hall),
Tirunelveli – Thamira Sabhai (copper hall) and
Kutralam- Chithira Sabhai (art/picture hall).
It is believed that originally this temple was constructed by the Chola and Pallava dynasties. This is a very ancient temple. The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of King Paranthaka Chola-I to the last king of Vijayanagaram.
Earlier this village was called Pazhayanur and the place where this temple was located was called Alangadu. In the Devara Hymns, this place is mentioned as “Pazhayanur Alangadu”.
According to the legend, in ancient times this region was a forest densely covered with banyan trees (Alamaram in Tamil). It is believed that a Swayambu Lingam was discovered under a banyan tree. Later a temple was constructed and the lord was named as “Sri Vadaranyeswarar” (Vadam meaning banyan tree, Aranyam meaning forest and the Eswar represents Lord Shiva). Since the celestial gods (Devas) are also believed to have worshiped the lord of this temple, he is also praised as “Sri Devarsingaperuman”.
It is believed that Lord Murugan, Goddess Lakshmi and Saint Thirumular have worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple.
Oordhuva Thandavam-
The legend is that two demons - Sumban and Nisumban had worshiped Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. Impressed by their rigorous penance, Lord Shiva gave them a blessing that every drop of their blood that fell on the ground would turn into a lingam.
Having sought Lord Shiva’s blessings, these two demons started terrorising the celestial gods who in turn complained to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked Goddess Parvathi to create “Bathra Kali” and this Kali was advised to go to Thiruvalangadu to destroy the demons.
Kali fought with these two demons, defeated them and drank their blood. However, since she had drunk the blood of the demons, she started losing control of her senses and started acting like a demon herself. She started terrorising the celestial gods, who one again sought Lord Shiva’s intervention in this matter.
To solve this problem, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy came to this place. Kali who was not in control of her senses, started fighting with Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma, Lord Mahavishnu and Rishi Naradar intervened and made them accept a dance competition instead of a fight, which the duo agreed to perform.
It is believed that the dance performance was witnessed by Goddess Parvathy, Rishi Naradar, Sage Munjikesa (Sage Anantha) and serpent Karkodakar. Lord Brahma and Lord Mahavishnu are believed to have provided music for their dance. Lord Shiva performed 17 types of dances which Kali also repeated. Finally, Lord Shiva played his “Oordhuva Thandavam” – a dance with very fast movements. Lord Shiva intentionally dropped his right earring on the ground, stood on his right leg, picked up the earring with the toe of his left leg and wore it again during the dance itself. Kali could not repeat this movement and admitted her defeat.
Goddess Parvathy, who was astonished to watch this performance is praised here as “Arukilirunthu Viyantha Nayaki” (goddess who witnessed the spectacular dance performance). The lord here is praised as “Andamura Nimirntharuliya Nayanar” as he performed the Oordhuva Thandavam.
Kali was very angry to accept her defeat. In order to appease her anger, Lord Shiva told her that he would be performing a pleasing dance – “Raksha dance” at Thiruvirkolam temple and she could have his dharisanam there.
The Natarajar idol of this temple can be seen with its left leg almost touching the left ear. The idol of Goddess Sivakama Sundari can be seen with her face reflecting her astonishment.
Lord Shiva’s dance here was also witnessed by one of his great devotees, Saint Karaikal Ammaiyar. She is also one of the 63 Nayanmars. It is said that she went to Mount Kailash by walking upside down on her head to see Lord Shiva. The lord addressed her as “Mother” (Amma in Tamil) and advised her to go to Thiruvalangadu to see his dance. She came to see the lord in this temple but a Shiva lingam started appearing wherever she put her foot. In order to give respect, she decided to again walk upside down on her head. She witnessed the dance performance of Lord Shiva, rendered her pathigam (hymn) and attained salvation in this temple itself. It is believed that her last resting place was at the feet of Lord Natarajar. Since her pathigams are prior to the Moovars Devaram, they are called “Mootha Thiru Pathigam”.
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