|
|
The Lord Shiva temple at Tiruvottiyur, 8-km south of
chennai, is a
much-venerated Tirukkovil claiming many awe-inspiring episodes that
occured in the lives of devotees of this powerful Adipureeswar (Lord
Shiva). Besides the divine miracles performed by the Lord, His adorers too
demonstrated their Daiva Shakti through miracles of infinite variety that
made sceptics into real theists.
Here in this temple campus there lie the "Panchabhutasthala"
lingas, like Aakasalinga, Tejolinga, Jalalinga, etc. Ekapadeswar, an odd
representation of Lord Shiva is beautifully carved on the wall of the main
temple and it is attracting the reverent attention of the visitors. Here
there are many sculptural adornments deserving ardent worship.
This temple has two tanks and two "Sthala Vrikshas", besides
the Sahasralinga -a tall, huge, black, granite linga (also spelt as
lingam) that lifts our soul at its mere sight. There are several other
lingas here. This Lord was worshipped by Kalianayanar (also spelt as
Kalianayana), Sundarar (also spelt as Sundara), etc. The images of the
famous saints like Pattinathar and Appar are installes in grand niches.
Pattinathar, a reputed Tamil ascetic-poet, who lived in this region
displayed his soul power through several incrediable wonders and lifted
'Duhkartis' from the snares of misery. The grateful theist community built
a Samadhi (place of burial) for him here.
The Incrediable Wonders Of Pattinathar
Pattinathar wanted to undertake a "Sthala Yatra" (pilgrimage),
but at the same time he felt that it was his duty to serve his mother and
remain by her side in her old age. Days passed. Pattinathar stayed in a
Mandapam (also spelt as Mandapa or Mandap) in Tiruvengadu and spent his
days in meditation. He used to accept food from anyone who gave it to him
willingly.
He had a sister in Kaveripattinam, who felt ashamed of her brother's
action in having become a Sanyasin. She thought that her brother had
marred the good name of their family and hence decided to put an end to
his life. Once she invited Pattinathar to her house and offered him a
poisoned cake. Pattinathar, who came to know about this by the grace of
God, threw it on the roof, which immediately caught fire and burnt her
house down to ashes. Pattinathar went back to his Mandapam, at
Tiruvengadu.
One-day Pattinathar's mother passed away at Kaverippoompattinam. Before
Pattinathar could reach there, his relatives took her body to the
cremation ground and started to set fire to it. When Pattinathar arrived
at the spot he removed all the firewood placed on his mother's body. He
placed plantain leaves instead and sang ten stanzas bewailing her death.
To the astonishment of all spectators, the green leaves caught fire at
once. He performed all the rituals and ceremonies for the obsequies to his
mother and afterwards set out from the place to visit all the shrines of
Lord Shiva in the country.
At Tiruvarur, Pattinathar restored a dead man back to life. Then he came
to a sacred place known as "Onsenai Mahalam". At that time a
king by name Bhadragiri was ruling that part of the country. One day, some
thieves stole some costly ornaments and articles from the palace and came
to the temple of Vinayaka (also spelt as Vinayak) where Pattinathar was
doing penance, to share the booty among them.
They wanted to present something to Vinayaka (also spelt as Vinayak).
They took out one pearl necklace and placed it on the neck of Pattinathar
mistaking him for Vinayaka (also spelt as Vinayak). Pattinathar knew
nothing about these incidents, as he was in deep meditation.
Next morning, Pattinathar was arrested by the soldier and brought before
the King with the pearl necklace. Poor Pattinathar was not able to offer
any explanation before the King. Thereupon the King came to the conclusion
that he was the culprit and ordered that the man should be sent to the
gallows. When Pattinathar was about to be hanged, he prayed to Lord Shiva
and sang a song. Immediately the gallows caught fire and were burnt to
ashes. When the King came to know about this, he was very much afraid,
fell at the feet of the Sage and begged him to pardon him. The King soon
received Jnanopadesa from Pattinathar and became a saint.
When Pattinathar came to Tiruvidaimarudur, he met his disciple Bhadragiri
there. After some time Bhadragiri passed away. Then an invisible voice was
heard. Pattinathar was directed to go to Tiruvottiyur where he would get
salvation. He again came to Tiruvengadu. There he saw one of his
ex-servants and his wife being imprisoned by the King. He arranged for
their release.
He then visited Shiyali, Chidambaram,
Tiruvekambaram, Kalahasti, Tiruvalangadu and other places, and at last
came to Tiruvottiyur. At Tiruvottiyur he worshipped Lord Shiva and
composed many songs. He used to amuse urchins by performing some miracles.
He would get into a pit in one place and come out of the earth in another
place.
One day he asked some boys to place over him a big vessel covering his
entire body. The boys expected that he would come out of the earth as
usual at some other place. As Pattinathar did not come back for a long
time, the boys removed the vessel to see whether the Sage was still there.
The Sage was not there, but in his place they found a Shiva Linga.Thus
Pattinathar got transformed into a Linga (also spelt as lingam) and merged
with God. He is very well known in Tamil Nadu as a great saint. A temple
has been constructed over the Linga at Tiruvottiyur, a suburb of Chennai
city.
During the medieval period, many celebrated kings made liberal endowments
and participated in the annual festivals with unprecedented religious
fervour, worthy of emulation. In memory of Adi Sankara's visit to this
shrine, an image is installed and worshipped.
Air:
Chennai is the
nearest airport with both National and International terminals.
Rail:Chennai
is the nearest railway station, which is well conneceted by rail with the
major towns and cities within and beyond the state.
Road: Tiruvottiyur is 8-km south of
Chennai. To reach
the temple, city buses, taxis and auto rickshaws are available.
Being the capital city of the state, Chennai is well equipped with various kinds of accommodation options, varying from economic class to luxurious ones.