The Legend of Othandeswarar

Othandeeswarar temple, Thirumazhisai

The Othandeswarar temple in Thirumazhisai is an 11th-century Chola period temple, built by Kulothunga Cholan. There is a legend associated with the temple.

According to the legend, the king was returning home after a hunt near Thriumullaivasal when his path was obstructed by a thick vine. He cut through the vine with his sword, only to find blood oozing from the thicket. Upon closer examination, he discovered that he had accidentally slashed a Shiva lingam. Realizing his mistake, he cut off his hand to expiate the sin and offered it to the lingam. In response to his devotion, Shiva appeared to him with Parvati, restored his hand, and blessed him.

The Lord is also known as Kai Thantha Piran, while the Goddess is known as Kulirvitha Nayagi.

The temple is situated right on the Chennai-Thiruttani road about 25 km from the city.

Vyaghrapaada Muni

The sage with tiger’s feet

Vyaghra pada muni :

Vyaghrapada was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He lived in a thillai forest near Chidambaram.

 He used to collect flowers in the morning for his daily puja. Seeing that birds and bees suck nectar from the flowers, he wanted to get flowers even before dawn so that they are untouched and fresh. For this purpose he had to go deep into the forest in near darkness. This involved walking over thorns and sharp stones. Consequently his feet were affected so badly that even his overall health deteriorated.  Seeing his plight Lord Siva gave him legs of a tiger to manage the rough conditions of the forest. Hence the name Vyaghrapaada .Vyghra – tiger: pada – foot.

Vyaghrapada lived in Chidambaram for many years. He was a contemporary of Sage Patanjali. Shiva eventually gave his darsan as Nataraja and both Vyghrapaada and Patanjali attained mukti.

From one of the pillars in the Azhagiya Nambi Temple, Thirukkurungudi – one of the 108 Vaishnvite Divya Desams.

Interestingly, though this temple is a Vaishnavite Divya sthalam, it has also many Shaivaite elements as the sculpture above.

Krishna at it again

Gopi Vastraaharan – Krishna stealing  the clothes of gopis. This pillar is from Sree parthasartathy Temple, Triplicane. For narration and other pictures from  Bhatkal, Karnataka and George Town, Chennai see: http://stonestories.blogspot.in/2011/09/vastraapaharan-krishna-and-gopis.html

At Sree Parthasarathy Temple, Thiruvallikkeni

There is another sculpture on the same theme at Sree Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram. See Bhusavali’s blog