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This
ancient temple has many fascinating legends. It houses many
minishrines in addition to a holy honeycomb receiving regular
worship along with the archamurthi Siva everyday. It is believed
that renowned Siddhars, changing themselves into honey bees are
worshipping the Lord since time immemorial, says the priest. Another
legend recounts that once a merchant living here went on business
tour, leaving his pregnant wife alone in the house. She was a
regular temple visitor, but due to long absence of her husband,
there was nothing left in the house to maintain herself; yet she
managed to live with her son facing difficulties without grumbling.
Taking pity on her, Lord Siva appearing in her dream said that He
would keep one gold coin near the portal in the temple every day for
her maintenance. He also told another merchant named Ponniral living
in next village to look after her and her needs by supplying all the
necessaries, taking the gold coin from her. So the place was
appropriately called. Five years rolled by then. And her devotion to
Lord was waxing day by day. Then came her husband, and finding the
grown-up boy with her, he suspected his wife. In order to prove her
chastity the Lord altered the positions of sthalavriksha from rear
to fore and the place of Nandi from fore to rear with prior
information to him about this phenomenon. The erring husband
realised his folly and prayed to the Lord more zealously than
before.
This
lies at a distance of 16 km to Ponnirai town accessible by bus.
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