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This
sacred shrine is the gift of Rajasimha of Pandyan dynasty and has
many legends exuding a unique spiritual aroma, linked up with the
history of Kalpavriksha and
Kamadhenu, the wish-yielding celestial objects of great fame.
According to legends, the two were cursed to be born as commonplace
objects by Lord Siva for attending the Dhakshayagna without His
presence, though He was the yagnaphalabhokta. Kalpavriksha took its
birth in this world as Jack tree, and Kamadhenu an ordinary cow; and
was without adoration, much less recognition until upto the time of
a Pandyan ruler who turned a great worshipper of Sivalinga that was
found buried under the trunk of that cursed Kalpavriksha. As the
sports of the Lord relieved many victims of this area along with the
King himself, a big temple was built with a seven tired tower and
many minishrines enshrining in addition to parivaradevathas, two
Sivalingas - Poolanandiswara and Kanni Iswara. It has famous
thirthas that have divine connections and also the source of the
famous Surabhi river. Its puranic name was Harikesarinallur due to
the worship made to Sivalinga by Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. It was
also called Rajasimheswara Udayar temple. Its fantastic past
deserved visitation for the blessings of the archamurtis , who are
infinitely merciful.
It
lies on the Madurai Cumbum highway, accessible by bus from Madurai,
Theni, Bodi etc.
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