Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Temples of Tamilnadu - 29 - Star temples - Ashwini - Part 1

Sri Piravi Marundeeswarar temple, Thiruthuraipoondi 

Star                        :        Ashwini

Temple timings    : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Phone                    : 04369 222 392, 99442 23644, 98652 79137

Location                : Thiruvarur 27 kms 

Nearest town        : Thiruvalanchuzhi 13 kms Thirukkuvalai 16 kms

Important days    :         Ashwini star days

Other temple/s     :         Dharbaranyeswarar temple, Thirunallar 

Rishis in Tharukavanam one felt that Lord Shiva’s powers were only through their Yagnas and Lord wanted to set them right. So He came as a handsome beggar and they were attracted by him and followed him.  Lord Vishnu too appeared there as a beautiful girl. Though they were attracted they realised their foolishness and created a rogue elephant to destroy them. Lord Shiva killed the elephant demon, used its hide as a blanket and earned the name of of Gajasamharamurthy. The rishis sought Lord’s pardon.

Not many feel that hardships fall on everyone and not them alone. When there is Birth, suffering cannot be avoided and one has to go through, May be with less severity if we are blessed by the Lord.

Jallika, a demon woman by birth, she had all the noble characters, kind and was a staunch Shiva devotee. Her husband Virubakshan was a demon in body and soul and her efforts to correct him were in vain. Jallika was pure vegetarian but Virubakshan ate even human flesh. When a Brahmin boy proceeding to Ganga to perform Shrardha for his late father was caught by Virubakshan for eating, Jallika tried to prevent the cruelty and said that the flesh of Brahmins would change into a poison and kill him. Ignoring her, Virubakshan kicked her and devoured the Brahmin boy and fell dead.

Jallika came to Tiruthuraipoondi and in the midst of vilwa trees worshipped Shiva saying "Oh! Lord, though my husband was not a good man, I cannot still live a widowed life. Hence release me from the bonds of birth." When she was in a dying state, Mother Bruhan Nayaki appeared and asked her to have a bath in the nearby tank. When she returned, she saw Virubakshan coming before her. Mother Bruhan Nayaki gave him life. The Brahmin boy too came there and asked the mother why she gave him life back. Mother told the boy that anyone performs ceremonies for his ancestors with devotion would escape any danger and he deserved her full blessings. She promised total salvation to his father.

Mother Bruhan Nayaki blessed Jallika about her fidelity to her 

Mercy and blessings of Lord and the Mother alone is the cure from the sufferings caused by Piravi – birth.

This temple is an exclusive one for Ashwini starrers. There is a belief that if Ashwini nakshatra people visit this temple and do Parihars(Special offerings) to Piravi Marundeeswarar all their sins will vanish and they will have a new birth.


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Temples of Tamilnadu - 41 - Temples In and Around Myladuthurai

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