Thirukumaresar
Nava Puliyur Temples ,Erukathampuliyur
Thirukumaresar Temple (also called Erukathampuliyur temple or Rajendirapattinam temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirukoodalaiyathoor, a village in Cuddalore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Thirukumaresar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Verumulai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is also the birthplace of Saiva saint Tirunilakanta Nayanar
The temple complex covers around half acre and entered through a five tiered gopuram, the main gateway. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Thirukumaresar and his consorts Verumulai Amman, being the most prominent. All the shrines of the temple are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls.
The temple has four daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. Mahasivarathri festival celebrated during the month of the Chittirai (March - April) is the most prominent festival of the temple.
The gopuram of the temple
As per Hindu legend, once Shiva was explaining the importance of Vedas and Agamas to Parvathi in Kailash. She was not paying attention and Shiva cursed her to born in earth in Bharathava community. Muruga, their son was angered that his father cursed Parvathi and argued with him.
Shiva was further angered and he cursed Muruga also be born as a dumb boy in trader community. He was born as Rudrasarma in Madurai to an army lieutenant.
The boy went to many Shiva temples for relief and when he finally came to the temple for worship, he got his speech.
As per another legend, the celestial deities were enjoying the place and took the form of birds. Some hunters were trying to hunt them and by divine intervention, the hunters turned into Erukam trees whose wood is not useful. Thus the place came to be known as Erukathampuliyur.