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This
ancient shrine is an integral part of the popular big Sivan
Tirukkovil built to perpetuate great events, visualising the glory
of Lord Siva.
Siva
As A Hunter
According
to tradition, Lord Maha Vishnu after sending Bali Chakravarti to the
nether world grew a little bit arrogant and moved about with pride.
Not commendable in a way ! Does this bring honour to Him ? No. It is
unbecoming on the part of a person of His status and powers.
Apprehending unpleasant consequences, Siva assumed the form of
hunter and humbled the pride making Him His target. It worked. Later
penitent Vishnu requested the Lord to settle down here and wear the
dear skin as mantle and bone as mace in token of the episode
occurred; for they symbolize egoism and maya, which were subdued by
His arrow. He agreed. So Lord Siva is called Sattanathar - Lord of
the skin coat. As this happened here, it was deemed holy, and so a
temple was constructed. It is called Brahmapureeswarar Tirukkovil.
By royal patronage, it grew up into a major shrine of great
importance. The Chola emperor Vira Rajendra and Venkatadevaraya of
Vijayanagara empire diverted huge sums from their treasures to
glorify it. It contains in its compound besides this, the famous
Tirugnanasambandar's shrine next to Mother Parvathi's shrine. There
is one more shrine for Uma Maheswar shrine in the first floor. It
too has a long legend.
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