193. VAANUR

THAZHUVAKOZHUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 14kms from Pondichery

Shiva: Thazhuvakkozhundheeswarar

Amman: Amman

History:

Once upon a time there was a quareel between Brahma and Vishnu that who was the greatest among them. Since they could not come to a conclusion Brahma took up the task of going in search of the head of Shiva and Mahavishnu in search of Shiva's feet. Shiva raised his head crossing the sky and his feet into the underground world. Mahavishnu admitted his defeat saying that he could not find the feet of Lord Shiva. A flower which fell from Shiva's head told Brahma where His head was and Brahma tried to reach the head of Lord Shiva smelling the fragrance left over by the flower (Thazhampoo). Vaanur is the place where finally Brahma reached. He could not go beyond that height and he lied that he saw Shiva's head. Due to this incident Thazhampoo is not used for Shiva Pooja and since Brahma lied he lost his powers. This place was earlier known as Vaanam Oor.