Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – Legends

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – Legends

Mayilamalai:

The legend of this place begins with the end of Surapadman atrocious rule and his tearful appeal to Lord to accept him as his mount. According to Sthalapuranam, Surapadman, though fought against Muruga, was routed in the end. When he was about be slain, he appealed to the Lord to accept him as his vehicle, and he would serve him with fidelity.

Moved by the tearful appeals, the Lord ordered him to do meditation taking the shape of peacock (Mayil in Tamil) on the bank of Varaha near Mayilamalai. Nodding, he continued his appeal to the Lord to dwell for ever on the same hill. It was granted. Thus, came into existence this Mayilamalai and the place called Mailam, for short.

Sankhakannar:

There is another long legend associated with the life Sankhakannar, one of the Sivaganas of Kailash. Due to incurring displeasure to Lord Siva, he was cursed to be born as man in bhuloka and to get emancipation after due penance only. According to the Sthala Purana of Mailam, it was the duty of Sankhakannar, a gana in Siva’s following, to stand guard at the grove where Parvati was bathing. He failed in this task as he did not prevent Siva from entering and, because of this, he was cursed by Siva, who announced that he would have to fight with Murugan and teach the vedasaivagamas for many years.

Having been thus cursed, the gana, in the form of a young child named Balasiddha, descended to earth, to the village of Bomayapalaiyam. Knowing that he could be liberated only by Murugan, and following the advice of Narada, he went to Mailam, the hill whose name is linked to the peacock of the god (Mayil), for it was there that the Asura Surapadman assumed the form of a peacock so as to obtain liberation from Murugan. Despite the intervention of his consorts, Valli and Devasena, Murugan refused to relieve the curse upon Sankhakannar because it had come from Siva.

Angered by his refusal, Murugan’s consorts slipped away from him and became Siddha Kannis, taking refuge in their palace. Disguised as a hunter, Murugan attempted to enter the palace and confronted Sankhakannar. The guardian very soon recognized the god, who immediately rid him of the curse.  He asked Murugan to always remain present at Mailam with his wives in the form of bridegroom (Kalyana Kolam).

Srilasri Sivagnana Palaya Swamigal:

It is said that Srilasri Sivagnana Palaya Swamigal was in yoga nishta for 100 years here drinking the milk of Kalli plant and merged with Lord Shiva.

Bomayapalaiyam:

The temple, situated on a small hill , is connected with a village on the Coromandel coast, Bomayapalaiyam, very near Pondicherry, where a Vera Saiva mutt is found. This Mutt is maintaining the Temple. According to the name, Bomma or Bomme, derived from Brahmana. This was a village donated to Brahmans, as is confirmed by the Sthala Purana in which Bomayapalaiyam is also named Brahmapuram.