Consecration at Gnayiru
V. GANESAN
The temple before renovation.
The Maha Kumbabhishekam of Sri Pushparatheswarar Temple, Gnayiru Village, Red Hills, will be performed on July 3, between 6 and 6.30 a.m. The events include Ganapathi Homam, Navagraha Homam and Poornahuti on June 30 (today) and special pujas on July 1 and 2.
Named after the Sun God, the village has an interesting sthalapuranam. Surya or the Sun had been cursed by Lord Brahma. In order to cure himself of the malady caused by the curse, Surya came down to the Earth looking for a place to pray to Lord Siva. He chanced upon a beautiful pond, filled with huge lotuses, some of which even had 1,000 petals. Fascinated, Surya got into the water to offer his prayers. Touched by Surya's devotion, Lord Siva appeared as a Lingam on one of the lotuses and cured him. Filled with joy and gratitude Surya built a temple for the Lingam, in Gnayiru (Sun) village.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Pushparatheswarar, called so because Lord Siva emerged from a flower in the form of a Lingam. Surya was also bestowed with an Akshaya Paathram with which he fed thousands of devotees, who came to the temple every year, in search of remedies for their ailments. They believe the Lord here will relieve them of pain and shower prosperity on them.
V. GANESAN
RENOVATED: The Pushparatheswarar temple spruced up.
Shrine for Sundarar
It is said that the village was the home of Kanva Maharishi. An altar for Sangili Nachiyar, the wife of Tamil saint-poet Sundarar, is found in the temple. Sage Agastiyar, who wrote Aditya Hridaya Stotram, stayed at this temple and prayed to the Lord, it is said. Pradosham, associated with Lord Siva, the Nandi and Surya, draws devotees from far and near, to Gnayiru.
The temple that was in a dilapidated condition for several decades has now been renovated. Three years of renovation work (taken up by Surya Trust No. 22, Anna Salai) has now come to an end with the temple now ready for consecration. (Bus route: Red Hills to Gnayiru; Bus Nos. 58A, 58C, 57C, T57)
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