Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 36th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Nadu Naadu |
Nadu Naadu | 4th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
Sage
Viyakrapathar, also called “Pulikkal Munivar” in Tamil, whose legs are believed
to have been like those of a tiger (tiger is puli in Tamil), worshiped the lord
here. Also, the Sthala Viruksham of this temple is the white “erukku”
(Calotropis) plant, hence this place gets the name “Erukkathampuliyur” (“Atham”
means forest in Tamil). Now this village is called as “Rajendra Pattinam”.
Lord Shiva cursed Goddess Parvathi
and Lord Murugan:
Lord
Shiva was teaching the meaning of Vedas and Agamas to Goddess Parvathi in Mount
Kailash. Since she failed to listen attentively, Lord Shiva cursed her to be
born in Bharathavar (fishermen) community. Angered by this, Lord Murugan threw
the Vedas in the sea. Lord Shiva cursed him to be born as a mute child in the
trader’s community.Murugan was born in Madurai as Rudrasanmar to Thalapathy and
Gunasalini. Since he could not speak, he started visiting many Shiva shrines to
seek relief and gain the gift of speech. He was blessed with speaking skills at
Erukkathampuliyur. As Lord Murugan (also called Kumaran) worshipped Lord Shiva
in this place, the Lord here is named Thiru Kumara Swami. There is an idol of
Rudrasanmar in the temple.
Saint Thiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar birth
place:
This
is the birth place of Saint Thiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar, a maestro of the Yazh
(a lute). He is one of the celebrated saints of Hindu mythology and a member of
the 63 Nayanmars. Yazhpanar and his wife Madhanga Soolamani Ammaiyar
accompanied and played Yazh with Saint Thirugnanasambanthar during most of his
pilgrimages. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s legend states that during his wedding
at Nallur Perumanam near Sirkazhi (Achalpuram), he along with all the
attendants at his wedding were consumed by a huge fire (Shiva Jyothi) and were
granted salvation by Lord Shiva. Both Yazhpanar and his wife are also believed
to have been among those attendees
Woman composed the melodic musical
notes:
A
woman from Yazhpanar’s lineage composed the melodic musical notes for the
Devaram on the advice of a Chola King. These notes are called “Pann” in Tamil.
Five Shiva sthalam where Sage
Viyakrapathar worshiped:
Sage
Viyakrapathar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. There are five Shiva
Sthalams where Sage Viyakrapathar worshiped Lord Shiva and the names of all
these places end with “Puliyur”. They are - Erukkatham Puliyur, Omam Puliyur,
Perumpattra Puliyur, Thirupathiri Puliyur, and Thiru Perum Puliyur.
Pulikkal Munivar:
Pulikkal
Munivar was the son of Madiyanthina Munivar. He was also called Bala Munivar as
he became a sage at a very young age. He lived in Chidambaram and worshipped
Lord Shiva there. He used to pluck flowers from various trees in the
surrounding areas to worship the Lord.
Since
he wanted to pluck the flowers before the flies or bees could take their nectar
(magarantham), he would do so during pre-dawn. He prayed to Lord Shiva that he
may be given the feet and eyes like that of a tiger so that he could see in the
dark and climb the trees easily.
His prayers were answered and he came to be
known as Pulikkal (Pulikkal means tiger legs in Tamil) Munivar. He was also
known as Vygrapather (Vyagra is tiger in Sanskrit). It is believed that he
would make offerings of four types of flowers - “kodi po” from the creepers,
“neer poo” found in water, “nila poo” found on earth and “kottum poo” the
flowers that fell to the ground on their own.
King Suvedhan got relieved of this
disease by worshipping the Lord here:
King
Suvedhan, a staunch Lord Shiva devotee, was infected with leprosy due to his
past sins. It is believed that he got relieved of this disease by worshipping
the Lord here and taking a dip in this temple’s sacred tank. Incidentally,
Erukku plant is said to have the power to cure leprosy.
Chola King Raja Rajan worshiped the
lord here to seek child boon:
According
to the Sthala Puranam, Chola King Raja Rajan visited this temple and worshiped
the lord here to seek child boon. The King was blessed with a son, Rajendra
Chola, hence this place was also given the name Rajendra Pattinam.
Poodhaganams (the Lord’s guards)
visited:
It
is also mentioned that some of Poodhaganams (the Lord’s guards) visited
Virudhachalam temple and sought the lord’s help to find a place where they
could attain liberation. The lord advised them to go to Erukkathampuliyur. It
is believed that they came to this temple, worshiped the lord and attained
salvation.
Sages
and Devas from celestial world came to this place:
As
mentioned in the Sthala Puranam is related to the erukku plants around this
temple. After knowing about the greatness of the lord of this temple, some of
the Sages (Naimisaranya Rishis) and Devas in the celestial world came to this
place in the forms of birds and trees and worshiped the lord here. However,
they were troubled by the wood cutters and hunters and they complained to Lord
Shiva. Then they heard a divine voice directing them to become Erukku plants
because these plants are not useful to anybody and hence there would be no
danger to them.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This is the
birth place of Saint Thiru Neelakanta Yazhpanar.
·
Lots of white
Erukku plants can be seen in the outer corridor of this temple.
·
Lord Suryan
(Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam
for five days from March 16 to 20 (Tamil month Pankuni 3 to 7).
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Neelakandeswarar, Sri Kumaraswamy, |
|
Ambal |
Sri Neelamalar Kanni, Sri Virar Mulaiyammai, |
|
Theertham |
Skanda Theertham, Neelorpala Theertham,
Senkazhuneer Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vellai Erukku Plant |
BELIEF:
Those
suffering from speech impairment visit this temple and worship the lord here in
order to seek relief.
It
is also believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to
the lord here.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Erukkathampuliyur
is situated at a distance of about 7 kms from Sri Mushnam on Virudhachalam to
Jayamkondam route. From Virudhachalam it is about 12 kms, from Pennadam 18 kms
and from Chidambaram around 50 kms.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri
Thiruneelakandeswarar Temple
Rajendrapattinam Post
Virudhachalam,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu - 608703.
LOCATION:
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