Panchanatheeswarar Temple (Vadugurnathar Temple), Thiruvandarkoil – Legends

Panchanatheeswarar Temple (Vadugurnathar Temple), Thiruvandarkoil – Legends

Vaduka Bairavar worshipped Lord Shiva to seek relief from Brahmahatti Dosham on killing Mundasuran:

As per the legend, the demon Mundasuran got a boon from Lord Shiva so that he would not be killed by other demons or devas. Because of this boon, the demon started waging wars with devas including Brahma and defeated them. They prayed to Lord Shiva for help and he instructed Vaduga Bhairava to kill the demon. He slayed the demon and in order to alleviate the sin of killing the demon, Bhairava prayed to Lord in this shrine. Hence the lord here is named Vadukeeswarar. The place itself came be to be known as Vadukur after the Bhairava’s name but the current name for this place is Thiruvandarkoil.

Vadukeeswarar:

Lord Brahmma the creator also had five heads as Lord Shiva. Brahmma grew proud of this equality. It so happened once that Mother Parvathi mistook Brahmma as Lord Shiva and extended the honours which Brahmma did not refuse. The confusion arose because both had five heads. Lord Shiva removed one head of Brahmma. Brahmma realized his pride punished him and begged Shiva’s pardon. This event took place here. As Lord Shiva removed one head of Brahmma, He is named Vadukeeswarar.