VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Kayarohaneswarar Temple, Nagapattinam also called as Nagai Karonam, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.

Friday, 20 October 2017

Sri Kayarohaneswarar Temple, Nagapattinam also called as Nagai Karonam, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th October 2017.

This temple visit was a part of the Thiruvarur temple visit organized by RATHAM for Prof. Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan. And also my second visit to this temple within a gap of just 20 days. My First visit to this temple was a part of Paadal Petra Sthalangal Darshan in January 2013.

A city developed near the seashore is called Pattinam, hence Nagai is being called Nagapattinam. The Nagapattinam was one of the ports during Chozha’s Period. The King Rajaraja had built a Buddhist Vihar "Chudamani Vihar“ in tiers in which Buddha statues were installed in three postures. Buddhism was practiced in those days and there were a lot of conflicts with Jainism. The Pallava King Parameswara Varman gave a solution that whoever wins can stay here in a competition. Buddhists lost and they moved to Sri Lanka during the 10^th Century. It was learned that some Buddhists were also converted to Muslims on sea coastal areas.

The present Nagapattinam was called Nagai Karonam during the Devara Moovar Period. This Shiva temple is the 199^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Moovar has sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple. Especially Sundarar asked for Clothes made of Silk and jewelry studded with precious stones like Diamond, Emerald & Pearl, Javadhu, and Santhu from Lord Shiva of this temple. Ambal Neelayadakshi temple is a later addition made during 16^th to 17^th Century Vijayanagara Period. Sri Muthusamy Dheekshithar has composed songs on Ambal of this temple.

Prof Madhusudhanan explained that there are different cults that exist to worship Lord Shiva like Maakalam, Kapalikam, Lakuleesam, etc,. This Lakuleesam was practiced popularly in North India and Lakuleesar Statues are found in many parts of North India. The basic principle of this cult is to attain Lord Shiva’s feet with mortal body ( Kayam = காயம், உடம்பு human body ). It was believed that Pundarika Maharishi who practiced this Lakulisa Pasupata worshiped Lord Shiva of Kasi, Kanchipuram, and Kumbakonam, where the Kayarohanam or Karonam temples still exist. Hence this temple of Shiva is called Sri Kayarohaneswarar.

Pundarika maharishi

Then he explained the Athipatha Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmar's stories. This is the birthplace of Athipatha Nayanar, who belongs to the fishermen’s community. He used to let the first fish caught, back into the sea. Lord Shiva wanted to test his bhakti and made a golden fish to be caught. Though the Nayanar has to survive with that day’s fish catch, he lets the golden fish back into the sea. Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him. This incident is celebrated as a festival every year and the fishermen’s community used to participate from Various parts of Tamil Nadu.