Chandramouleeswar Temple, Thiruvakkarai – Legends

Chandramouleeswar Temple, Thiruvakkarai – Legends

Vakra Shanti Thiruthalam:

As per legend, Vakrasura, a demon king, was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He worshipped Lord Shiva keeping a Lingam in his throat. Once, he performed rigorous penance on Lord Shiva here. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him the boon of immortality that he would not be killed by Lord Shiva or his creation. Empowered with immortality, he started terrorizing the celestial gods (Devas). The Devas pleaded with Lord Shiva to save them from the atrocities of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva asked Lord Vishnu to kill Vakrasura. When Lord Vishnu fought with Vakrasura, blood started oozing out. When his blood touched the ground, the demons started forming in its place. Vakra Kali was sent to drink the blood without dropping it on the ground. Lord Vishnu vanquished Vakrasura using his Sudarshana Chakra. Hence, Varadaraja Perumal is seen here with the Chakra about to be released (Prayoga chakram).

After the death of Vakrasura, Dunmukhi, sister of Vakrasura, came to the battlefield. Lord Shiva deputed Vakra Kali to fight the demoness Dunmukhi. Dunmukhi was pregnant during the battle, According to rules, killing a Shisu (child) is a sin. So Vakra Kali took out the child from her womb and wore it as ring on her right ear. As Kali destroyed the sister of Vakrasura, She stayed here in the temple as Vakra Kali and the place came to be known as Thiruvakkarai.

Vakra Kali was very furious (Ugra) in nature after killing Dunmukhi. It is believed that Adi Shankara quelled her anger by installing a Srichakra in her left leg.  As Kali is the deity for the serpent planets Rahu and Ketu, while circumambulating the shrine, 4 rounds should be clockwise and 5 anti-clockwise. The place became popular because of the grace of Mother Vakrakaali Amman. The place is known as Vakra Shanti Thiruthalam.   

Dwarapalakis:

There are idols of four women in odd sizes (two on each side), with tonsured heads, in the place of Dwarapalakis at the entrance of her shrine. It is said that the four Dwarapalakis belonged to the Yadava caste who sold dairy products for their livelihood. But they adulterated the milk by adding water. When the local ruler came to know about their adulteration, he ordered the four to be beheaded after shaving their heads. Before being beheaded, the four realized their mistakes, ran into the temple and prayed to Vakrakaali seeking forgiveness. Vakrakaali appeared before them, forgave their mistakes and blessed them with the status of Dwarapalakis in her shrine.

Chandramouleeswar:

It is believed that Lord Chandran (Moon god) worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence Lord Shiva came to be called as Chandramouleeswar / Pirai Soodiya Peruman / Chandrasekhara.

Mummukha Linga:

Lord Shiva is represented as Mummukha Lingam in this temple. It is said that each face was shown for Chandra, Brahma and Indra after they worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Bones of Vakrasura:

Thiruvakkarai is also famous for National Fossil Wood Park maintained by Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, Government of India. The locals believe that these fossils are the bones of Vakrasura that have turned into stone.