Lord Sundareswarar of Annappanpettai - The Handsome Lord!



Today we will be reading about Kalikamoor temple, also called as Annappanpettai Sundareswarar temple, one of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalam of Lord Shiva. This temple is situated in Annappanpettai in Mayiladuthrai district of Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Sundareswarar and His consort is Devi Parvathy in the form of Azhagammai. 

The legend of this temple is associated with Sage Parashara. It is said that when the sage's mother was pregnant with him, a demon killed his father. Having grown up without a father and aggrieved by the widowhood of his mother, Sage Parashara took a vow to kill the demon who killed his father, and he succeeded in fulfilling the vow. However he incurred the sin of Hathya. To absolve himself of this sin, Sage Parashara visited many temples and prayed to Lord Shiva. It is in this place called Kalikamoor, that the sage got a vision of Lord Shiva, looking extremely handsome. On request of the sage, Lord Shiva agreed to stay there as Sundareswara (Sundar - beautiful/handsome). He is also called as Vilwanathar as the place where the temple is situated is believed to have been surrounded by Vilvam trees.

As per another legend, there used to be only Lord Shiva's deity in the temple without the idol of the Devi. Once a fisherman came across an idol of Devi and he decided to bring it to the temple. In spite of severe illness, the fisherman somehow managed to deliver the idol to the temple. As soon as he entered the temple, he recovered completely. Till date, on Masi Maagam, only the idol of the Devi is taken to the sea for Theethavari (a bathing ritual for the deities of temples), unlike other temples where both Lord Shiva and His consort are taken to the sea. 

This temple does not have any Rajagopuram. Also, the Navagrahas in the temple are without their vaahan (vehicles/carriers/mounts). Two idols of Lord Ganesha stand in the sanctum sanctorum as Dwarpalas. There is a separate shrine for Lord Vinayaka, along with shrines for Lord Muruga and His consorts Devi Valli and Devi Devyani. 

Saint Sambhandar has mentioned in his works that worshipping the deity of this temple will help to get rid of all the devotees' troubles and will ensure prosperity. It is also believed that consuming the vilva leaves that are used for Archanai here, will help to cure diseases.

Om Namaha Shivaya!

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