Indira the king of Devas arrogantly neglected the garland presented to
him by Sage Duruvasa. The garland was the one offered to Lord Shiva in
pujas. His Iravadham elephant too was equally indifferent as its
master. Angry Sage cursed Indira that his head would be chopped off by a
weapon in the hands of Pandya king. Shocked and trembling, Indira
sought the pardon of the sage. The sage said his crown would fall down
saving his head.
Iravadham came down to earth and wandered among many
places worshipping Lord Shiva and finally got relieved of the curse in
this place. As Iravadha worshipped Lord Shiva here, He is praised as
Iravada Easwarar. Mother is worshipped as Sugantha Kundalambika and
Malar Kuzhal Nayaki in Tamil. Indira too got back his position.
Donot
change your mind, be determined to worship Lord at Ethirkolpadi says
Saint Sundarar in his celebrated hymns. It is noteworthy that the
Bhakti relationship between Lord Shiva and Sundarar was as one between
bosom friends. As Iravadham worshipped here, the sanctum sanctorum is
vast enough that an elephant can enter in it.
People organize wedding
receptions in the temple hoping that the couple would be close to each
other as Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi.
Festival:
Chithirai Indira Vizha in April-May; Karthikai Mondays in
November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Opening time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Lord Shiva of
the temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Sundarar. This is the 24th Shiva temple on
the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
It is believed
that the Rajagopuram of the temple was built earlier by Mallappa Naicker. Presently it is a five tier structure facing
east. Entering into the temple, there
are the Balipeeta and the Kodimaram-flag post.
Mothers shrine is on the right of the front Mandap. Ambica is small in stature in a sitting
posture. Presiding deity is just
opposite. Lord Muruga, Naalvar the four
Saivite saints, Mother Gajalakshmi, Lord Kala Bhairava and Sani Bagwan shrines
are in the prakara. Lords Bikshadanar,
Balaganapathi, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthi, Lingodhbava, Brahmma, planet Rahu and
Mother Durga are in the goshta walls.
Majority of the
devotees pray for recovery of things lost, restoration of positions lost, those
suffering from stomach problems and those for recovery of losses in businessand facing delays in wedding matters. It
is believed that Lord would relieve them from their sufferings as He did in the
case of Indira and his Iravadha elephant.
Do's:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.