History of the place

Lord Vinayaka angrily took away the nectar pot of Devas (which they got from churning the nectar ocean) who consumed it without worshipping Lord Vinayaka. While passing through this place, a drop of it fell on the earth and became a swayambu linga. The Devas begged Lord Vinayaka who advised them to pray to Lord Shiva here, and the Lord gave back their nectar pots and stayed here as Amirtha (nectar) Kada (pot) Eswara (the Lord). Athithi - mother of Devas was worshipping this Lord for HIS help to her children. Indira wanted to take this Lord to his place to reduce his mother's stroll. So, he converted the temple into a chariot and tried to pull it. Lord Vinayaka pressed the left wheel which got stuck to earth. Indira's attempts failed and he begged Lord Vinayaka. HE agreed to let the temple, if Indira install a crore of lingas. Indira failed, ralised his mistake and prayed Lord Amirthakadeswarar. Lord Shiva asked him to make one Shivalinga by chanting His name thousand times. Indira made the Rudrakoteeswar Linga. The Lord expressed HIS wish to be at this place and asked Indira to worship him daily instead of his mother. It is believed that Indira performs pujas to the Lord in this temple every day.

Saints who worshiped

Devaram hymns by Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (Appar). The famous hymn "Enkadan pani seithu kidapadey (My duty is to serve) by Appar took place here. Arunagirinathar on Lord Muruga in his Thirupugazh. This is the 34th Devara Sthala.

Speciality of this temple

The Shivalinga here is Swayambumurthi and is made of Navapashana (nine herbals). Sun's rays fall on the Lord on 3-5th of Panguni and moon's rays on the Annabishekam day. Here, the Lord Shani (Saturn) has eagle as his vehicle which is a rare sight. The temple is in the shape of a Ratham (chariot). Mother Vidhyujyothinayaki appears as the combined power of Saraswathi, Mahalakshmi and Durga. Adi Shankaracharya had installed Meru Mount and Sri Chakra below the Mother Durga. Before waging His war against Surapadman, Lord Muruga worshipped the Mother and got the bow and hence appears with a bow. Planet Mars worshipped Lord Muruga here.

Pariharam

Parihara sthala for Chevvai (Mars) dosha . It is believed that all the nine planets pray to the Lord here on their respective days and hence the Lord is dressed with different colours according to the days. Hence this place is also considered as Grahadosha parihara sthalam. Also people conduct Sashti Aptha Poorthy homam (it is a special puja done for those who completed 60 years of age) and homam for longevity in this place.

Pariharam Procedure

People pray to Lord Muruga with red vastras and special pujas and Homams are done on Tuesdays. Devotees offer turmeric and bangles to mother for marriage and child boon.