AADHIPUREESWARAR TEMPLE
Distance: 12kms from Cuddalore and 19kms from Panruti
Shiva: Aadhipureeswarar
Amman: Pushpa Thalanayaki
Speciality:
The facts about Eidhanur is collected from Aadhipura Sthala Puranam extracted from Brahmanda Puranam - Uthra Baagam - Kshetra Vaibhava Kandam 68th Chapter.
Brahma of this temple is in a meditative posture.
The Durga holds Prayoga Chakram in her hands. She stands on the head of the Mahisha. She resembles a middle aged women in a Thribanga Posture.
Mahavishnu is also found with a Prayoga Chakram in his hand.
Thirugnanasammandhar has visited this temple.
There are inscriptions about Cholas and Pandyas in the temple.
Kulothunga Chola III has donated generously to the temple and Rajasekhara Pandiyan has renovated the temple and offered lands for the proceedings of the temple.
History:
When Shiva started for Thiripura Samharam the Earth became his Chariot, the 4 Vedhas his Horses, Brahma became the Driver of the Chariot, Mahameru the Bow, Vasuki the Snake became the String and Mahavishnu the Arrow. The arrow started from this place Eidhanur (as the name suggests) for the Samharam at Thiruvadhigai, earlier called Aadhikapuri. Eidhanur was earlier called Aadhipuram. In other words Eidhanur is the place where Lord Shiva aimed the Arrow.
Vaali, of Ramayana, normally bathed in 4 oceans and reached Mount Kailash to worship Nandhi, Amman and Shiva everyday before starting his duties. One day when Vaali was bathing in the Southern ocean Ravana tried to catch him from behind. He tugged his arms and held him tightly. Immediately Vaali locked him and tied him with his tail. As usual in the same position holding Ravana behind him he bathed in other 3 oceans and went out to Kailash. Ravana could not bear the pain.Vaali worshipped the Nandhi. Nandhi informed him that Lord Shiva has started from here to Aadhipuram for Thiripura Samhara. Vaali did not know the place but Ravana said that he was aware of the location. He told Vaali to release him so that he could take him there. Vaali refused and demanded Ravana to guide him to Aadhipuram and he would be freed when he reaches there. Since the pain was unbearable Ravana wanted to get rid of Vaali and therefore he agreed to his demand. They reached Aadhipuram. Vaali released Ravana. Ravana too wanted to worship Shiva. So, they bathed in the
- Brahma Theertham in the east
- Padma Theetham in the south west
- Gnana Theertham in the west
- Soma Theertham in the north
- Surya Theertham in the south east
- Chakri Theertham in the north west
- Irudi Theertham in the north east
- Vaani Theertham in the Shrine of the Ambaal Padma Thalanayaki
A Brahmin named Brahmasarma lived here. He stayed in the banks of the Pinakini river and always uttered the name of Lord Shiva. The Lord appeared before him and was ready to offer a boon to him. He said that he wished eternal rest in the golden feet of the Lord. Shiva told him to participate in the ritual which was conducted by Vaali. On the 5th Day of the Ritual during the Panchamurthy procession Brahmasarma sang the Dhwadhasamanjari on Lord Shiva. After his song was over everybody saw a beam of light which arose form Lord Shiva and fell on Brahmasarma. They saw Brahmasarma merging into the Lord. There is the image of Brahmasarma in the temple from where he merged with the Lord.
Eidhanur was the birth place of Eanadhi Nayanar. He was a skilled Swordsman. Anyone with Sacred Ash (Vibhudhi) on his forehead was Lord Shiva to him. He was a very staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He considered the Sacred ash as the most holy thing in his life. His competitor who could not win Eanadhi Nayanar wanted to put an end to him. He challenged for a sword fight but he lost to Eanadhi Nayanar. He learnt form others that the Nayanar would not harm anyone who wore the Vibhuti. The competitor smeared the Vibhuti on his forehead and covered his face with a turban (Mundasu). He Challenged him as a new person for a sword fight. When Eanadhi Nayanar saw the Vibhuti on the forehead of the competition he retreated. He fell on the feet saying that he cannot fight with a Sivanadiyar (Shiva devotee). The wicked competitor utilised this situation to kill him. Shiva appeared before them and offered Mukthi to Eanadhi Nayanar saying that it was the time for him to attain Mukthi and reach the Lord. Every year A Guru Pooja is celebrated in this temple. This episode of Eanadhi nayanar's life is performed in the pooja.
Brahma, Vishnu and Surya were advised to come to this temple to get rid of their curses. They established a Linga each and worshipped the Lord and got relieved from their curses. It is believed people who worship this temple are relieved of their curses known and unknown.
In this village lived a lady called Rupavathi who was very wealthy and Vidhyavathi who possessed great knowledge. Both the women argued which was greater wealth or knowledge. They could not come to a conclusion. So they sought the intervention of Amman Padhmathalanayaki. Amman directed them to Kubera and asked him to decide between the two. Kubera stated that Knowledge was greater than wealth even though he was the God of wealth. Rupavathy got fierce and cursed Vidhyavathy to become a Ghost. The innocent Vidhyavathi sought Vaani for help. Vaani created a Vaani Theertham near the Amman Shrine and asked Vidhyavathi to bath in it. Vidhyavathi did so and regained her original form. The theertham is still found as a well in the temple. Vidhyavathi is seen worshipping at the feet of Dakshinamurthy in the Dakshinamurthy Shrine. One who worships Amman is said to attain eternal knowledge.
The Saptha Rishis Athri, Bringi, Vasishtar, Gauthamar, Pulasthiayar, Kasyapar and Aangeerasar worshipped this temple and therefore the temple is called Saptha Rishi sthalam. The Saptha Rishis are found as idols in the Vimanam of the Main Shrine. They were the Ancestors of Navagrahas. So there is no Navagraha Sannidhi in this temple. It is believed that Navagrahas come here daily and worship Lord Shiva and the Rishis and therefore they have promised that those who worship this temple at least once in their lifetime would not be affected by any Navagraha Dhosha.
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