The
river Silambar is more holy and sacred than the Ganges and many saints have attained
salvation by bathing in
Silambar. What is the necessity for you to go to Ganges every day?" It is stated that
this voice was that of Sundararaja. The
Pandyan King was visibly moved with this divine message, changed his mind and took bath in
the holy river Silambar.
He renounced his kingdom in favor of his son
Chandraketu and engaged himself in meditation till at last he attained salvation. After
Chandraketu, his son Kubja Pandyan was ruling and the latter had no child. He prayed to
the Lord. Being pleased with his
prayer the Lord ordained that Parvati would be born as daughter of Kubja Pandyan. In
course of time a daughter was born and she was named Tatataka. She married Lord Siva as
Sundareswarar and stayed at
Madurai. This is one of the ancient temples of South India and has figured in Parilpadal,
which is generally accepted to be written about 2000 years ago. The Sthalapuranam states
that King Malayadhwaja built this beautiful temple with lofty gopurams and spacious
prakarams and Mantapams. |
