|
Page18
The river
Suvarnamukhi is also a famous one in the Puranas. In the Puranas it is stated that
Agasthya Maharshi brought this sacred river. It is a perennial river. It is also called
Uttara Vahini, as it flows from south to north at this spot, which is a rare phenomenon.
It is stated that Lord Indra got rid of his curse from Maharshi Gautama after taking his
bath in this river. Nakkeerar, the great Tamil poet of the Sangam Age, is also said to
have rid himself of a fell disease after taking his bath in this river.
The main Lingam in the shrine is untouched till today even by the priest.
Abhisheka is being performed with Panchakarpura, or camphor mixed with water, milk and
Panchamruta. The Linga is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest and hence has not been
touched by human hand up to now. Even this Panchakarpura Abhisheka to the main Linga is to
be performed only by the priests belonging to Bharadwaja Gotra of Apastambha Sutra and who
have undergone the prescribed Diksha initiation in the temple. Flowers, sandal paste and
the sacred thread are being offered only to the Utsava murthy but not to the main Linga.
|
