As
Devi Parvati took Upadesa (lessons) from Siva in this place, she and Siva are enshrined
here facing each other, the shrine of the Lord facing the West and that of the Devi facing
the East. Such places
are known as Upadesa Sthalas.
Once, there lived two people in Mount Kailas named Malyavan and Pushpadanta, who were
always quarrelling. One wanted
to excel other in his devotion towards Siva. One day, 'Malyavan cursed Pushpadanta to
become an elephant; immediately the
latter cursed the former to become a spider. Both the elephant and the spider
approached Siva for redress of their curses and, as advised by Him, - they came to this
sacred place to worship the Lord.
A number of festivals take place in this temple throughout the year The Mandala
Brahmotsavam, celebrated in the Tamil months of Panguni and Chittirai (March- April),
lasts for 40 days and attracts thousands of devotees from surrounding
places. |
