Narthana Vallabeswarar
Narthana Vallabeswarar 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 Narthana Vallabeswarar, and is represented by the lingam.
His consort Parvati is depicted as Gnanasakthi and Parasakthi. 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 complex covers around half acre and entered through a three tiered gopuram, the main gateway. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Narthana Vallabeswarar and his consorts Gnanasakthi and Parasakthi, 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. The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February - March) is the most prominent festival.
As per Hindu legend, sage Agastya had a son named Karthyanan who was also a great sage. Agastya prayed Shiva to attain a girl child.
On account of divine grace, he found a child floating on a lotus leaf in Manimutharu river. He named her Ambujavailli brought up the child. It is believed that Vishnu's consort Lakshmi was born as Ambujavalli and married Vishnu during his Varaha avatar.
As per another legend, a Chola king who ruled the region, suspected his wife and killed her. He attained Brahmahatti Dosha for the wrongdoing.
He sustained skin disease and also began to wander like a lunatic. On arriving at the confluence of this place where rivers Manimutharu and Vellaru flow, he saw a dog with disease attaining relief after taking a dip in the river.
The king followed the dog and attained relief. Shiva came to be known as Koodalaiyitroorar as he is believed to rule the place (koodal means confluence in Tamil.