Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi – Legends
Different Names:
In
ancient times, this town had twelve different names, including Brahmapuram,
Venupuram, Thonipuram, Kazhumalam, Pugali, Sirkazhiswaram and Shri Kali.
Kali worshipped Shiva here:
As per
popular belief, Kali is believed to have worshipped the presiding deity,
Brahmapureeswarar, and thus the place came to be known as Srikalipuram,
which went on to become Sirkali.
Thoniappar:
According
to Hindu legend, during one of the biggest deluges that submerged the planet
earth, Hindu god Shiva is said to have carried the 64
arts on a raft (called Thoni in Tamil). The
presiding deity in the temple, Shiva, is thus called "Thoniappar"
(the one who carried the raft) and the region is called
"Thonipuram".
Sattainathar:
Shiva is
believed to have quelled the arrogance of Hindu god Vishnu, after showing his dominance over the three worlds and
hence got the name "Sattainathar" here. The town is thus called
"Sattainathapuram", which in modern times, is a suburb within
Sirkazhi.
Parvathi fed milk to Sambandar:
Tirugnanasambandar 7th century
Saiva nayanar, as an infant is believed to have been fed with the
milk of wisdom by the divine mother Parvati on the banks of the temple tank. The child
Sambandar started singing the anthology of Tevaram hymns from then on, commencing with
"Todudaiya Seviyan". Sambandar refers the town as "Kazhi"
in his verses. It was called Shiyali during British
rule, and after Independence, it was renamed "Sirkazhi".
Temple Customs:
Lord
Vishnu had to face adverse dosha for punishing emperor Mahabali. To
prove that Shiva and Vishnu are not different but one, Shiva wore the skin of
Vishnu as a shirt. Mother Mahalakshmi misunderstood this as Shiva
had destroyed Vishnu and stopped wearing flowers in her head. As a
custom in the temple, women coming to this shrine avoid wearing flowers in
their heads. Men should come to the shrine without shirts.
Shiva, Supreme head of all Laws:
As Lord
Shiva is the supreme head of all Laws-Sattam in Tamil, He is praised as Satta
Nathar. Hence, people involved in litigation seek His blessing to
win their cases.
Trimurthy with their Consorts:
Sirkali
is the only temple where Brahmma-Saraswathi, Shiva-Parvathi and
Vishnu-Mahalakshmi and the procession deity bless the devotees from the sanctum
sanctorum as in Mount Kailash.
Sattai Muni Siddhar:
The
Jeeva Samadhi – monument of Sattai Muni Siddha one of the 18 siddhas is in the
temple with a peeta-stage above. People can have the darshan of Lord from
this platform. Abhishek is performed here on Fridays. Punugu-a cosmetic
paste is applied at 12.00 p.m with garland of Vada-Vadamalai. Pulse
porridge is offered as nivedhana.
Sage Romasa penance:
Sage
Romasa performed penance in Mount Kailash on Lord Shiva. He prayed to Lord
that he should grant the Kailash darshan to people of South.
Contest between Adisesha and Vayu:
A
contest arose between Vayu and Adisesha about their might. Adisesha
covered the whole Kailash. Vayu could not move the mount. At
the request of Devas, Adisesha slightly raised one of his heads to yield in to
Vayu. Thus a small part of the mount was brought to this place by 20
birds.
Kalavithu worshipped Shiva here:
A king
Kalavithu by name was sad as he had no child. He came to this Chinna
Kayilai-Small Kailash, worshipped Lord and got his boon realized.
Brahma worshipped Shiva here:
Lord
Brahmma became proud thinking that he was greatest among the Murthis. To
teach Him a lesson, Lord made him forget the Pranava Mantra. Realizing his
folly, Brahmma worshipped Lord Shiva here and got his memory restored. As
Brahmma worshipped here, the place is known as Brahmmapuram and Lord as Brahmma
Pureeswarar.
People who worshipped Shiva here:
Kumaravel,
Sirkali, Brahma, Vishnu, Guru, Indiran, Sun, Moon, Agni, Sedan, Raghu, Kedhu, Vedavyasa
and Kalavithu are the people worshipped Shiva here.
