Padaleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore – Legends

Padaleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore – Legends

Karaiyearteeswarar:

The Pallava King Mahendra Varma (600-630 A.D) tried to kill Appar by various means but by the grace of Lord Shiva Saint Appar escaped unhurt the King then tied him to a Stone and threw him in the river. Again, by the grace of Lord Shiva, he has a miraculous escape so pleased with his songs the lord gave him all protections against the kings wish. The stone became a boat and he safely reached the shore near Thirupathiripuliyur. This Place is even now known as Karaiyeravittakuppam a festival is being celebrated in the month of Chittirai to commemorate this miracle. Hence Lord Shiva helped Appar to reach seashore safely, he is called as Karaiyearteeswarar.

Arunthava Nayagi:

As per Hindu Mythology, once, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi were engaged in a game of dice. Though the Parvathi won all the time the lord denied it. Parvathi said that she will cover the eyes of Shiva and if he really won left them show light. By saying she covered the eyes of the lord. The entire world plunged into darkness. A few seconds there, seemed infinite time for Gods. The moment of that occasion led all human creations including other Gods to realize a long duration of Yugas of inactiveness.

After realizing that she has committed a grave mistake prayed for forgiveness. Lord Shiva advised Parvathi to go to earth and pray in all the 1008 Shiva Sthalams and in which Sthala the left eye & shoulder vibrates, there she should penance. Accordingly, in the course of Sthala yatra of Parvathi when she came to pray in this Sthala (Thirupathiripuliyur Padaleeswarar Temple) the diving occasion of vibration of left eye and left shoulder happened. So, Parvathi started doing her penance in the Aruba form (Arunthava Nayagi) and married Lord Shiva.

Upamanyu got relieved of his curse here:

Upamanyu son of Vyagrapadarishi while offering worship his feet mistakenly hit the Devi who cursed him to become a hare. He repented his action and Devi ordained him to pray the Lord Padaleeswarar to get rid of the curse. The hare after wandering many years was one day hunted by the legendary king Adirajan. The hare after getting wounded by the arrow of Adirajan ran away and came in contact with the branches of this Padhiri tree. The touch of the tree resulted Upamanyu regaining his human form.

Manganar regained his Human form here:

Once Sage Toomappur who was doing penance here. He cursed Manganar to become a hare for disturbing his penance. The Sage in the form of hare performed penance in the Padaleeswarar temple and regained his human form.

Lord Padaleeswarar changed the course of the river Gadilam:

Lord Padaleeswarar changed the course of the river Gadilam for saint Manikkavacakar to worship without difficulties.

Pathiri Puliyur:

The former part of the name of this sacred place indicates the Sthala Vriksham (the tree of the temple) Pathiri tree and the later part Puliyur indicates the tiger saint Vyakrapada who penanced in this place.

Vyagrapathar attained Salvation here:

Vyagrapathar, after having witnessed the Anandatandavam of Lord Nataraja, is supposed to have attained salvation here.

Holy Place:

There is a belief/myth that by worshiping single time this God is equal to 16 times worshipping the Shiva in Kasi, 8 times in Thiruvannamalai and 3 times in Chidambaram.