Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Aruchen Chadaimel Vaitha Ankanar Pujaikana
Narum Kungiliyam Idhelnanindru Perennalla
Perumaridhanmel Undo Perarperu Perruvaithu
Verinikkolavathendru Uraithezhum Viruppin Mikkar
Kungiliya Kalayar was born in Thirukadavoor/Thirukayur located on the river banks of Cauvery. It is one of the famous villages in the Chola Kingdom where the well-known temple of Lord Shiva – Sri Amritha Ghateshwarar and his consort Goddess Abirami situated. The splendor of this village with the presence of Lord Sri Amritha Ghateshwarar and his consort Goddess Abirami, uninterrupted Vedic chants of Brahmins and crisp air with the smell of ghee from the sacrificial fire were stolen the millions hearts.
The origin of this temple is closely related to the myth, the deities and demons after the churning the ocean arrived in this place with the pot of elixir of immortality. They all went to river for a holy dip and when they returned, they could not trace the pot on its place. They found a huge Lingam on instead. Hence the divine nectar transformed into a huge Lingam came to known as ‘Amrita Ghateshwarar’/Amritha Lingam. Abirami Bhattar sang praising the glories of Goddess Abirami in beautiful nectar like verses known as Abirami Andhadhi in this temple. At the end of the hundredth verse, Goddess Abirami revealed her presence throwing her nose ring on the sky to transform the New Moon into Full Moon Day and saved the life of Bhattar.
Kungiliya Nayanar was a Brahmin and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. His wife was also equally devoted to Lord and they lived a righteous life. He carries a pot of incense – a substance burned for pleasant fragrance with him. He made it a regular practice to keep burning incense for its fragrance before the deity and treated as a service to Lord. He served the devotees of Lord with utmost reverence. He spent a large part of his wealth in the service to Lord. Gradually, he found it difficult to meet the minimum daily expenses in the family. He sold all his properties and was nothing remained, still he continued his sincere service to Lord.
One day, seeing the unending poverty at home Kungiliya Kalayar’s wife handed Nayanar with her Mangalya Sutra (A sacred chain used to wear married woman) which was only thing left with her. Kungiliya Kalayar without any anguish he proceeded to the market to sell the sacred chain of his wife, in order to get some minimum supplies to wave off the hunger of their children. The most compassionate Lord wanted to test the devotion of Kungiliyar and spread his glories to this world. Lord disguised in the form of an incense seller and appeared before Kungiliya Kalayar. Seeing the incense with an exceptional fragrance, Kungiliya Kalayar was forgot any of the requests his wife has made for the purchase of provision. He instantly, gave the Mangalya Sutra to the incense seller and returned with a bunch of alluring fragrance. He marched towards the temple and burnt all the incense before the deity.
Kungiliya Kalayar’s wife patiently waited for her husband to return home with the provisions. The whole day passed without any news of him. She put the children to sleep and continued waiting for her husband. She continued to pray for her husband’s safe return. On that night, Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and blessed her with all the prosperity for their sincere devotion to Lord. She abruptly woke up from the sleep and was amazed to see all kinds of richness in their home. The whole house was transformed into an expensive and attractive looks. Once again, she wholeheartedly sang praising the glory of Lord. She rushed to cook an elaborate and delicious meal for the whole family and unwearyingly waited for her husband’s return.
Kungiliya Kalayar who was in the temple immersed at the devotion to Lord, suddenly heard a divine voice instructing Kungili Kalayar to return home and have an elaborate meal with his family. Kungili Kalayar was not aware of the hours he had spend before the deity, started to follow the divine instruction. When he reached home, he was astounded to see the splendid beauty and its grandeur with the grace of Lord. Soon, the devotees of Lord assembled and sang praising the glory of Lord. Kungiliya Kalayar and his wife served them with utmost respect and honor. He continued his divine service to Lord with the enormous wealth. He firmly believed that the wealth belongs to Lord and it should be utilized only at the service of Lord.
Kungiliya Kalayar made a visit to the temple of Lord Aruna Satesar, Thiruppanandal. This is the temple where Thadaka - daughter of a demon worshipped Lord Shiva for an offspring. Seeing her unparalleled devotion, Lord Aruna Satesar worshipped in the form of Linga made a sharp bend for Thadaka so that she could embellish the Linga with the flower garlands. Many of the villagers tried to straighten up the Linga with their mighty force; unfortunately none of them were successful. The King was deeply distressed at this and desired to set straight the Lingam. Kungiliya Kalayar genuinely concerned about the King and wanted to eradicate his agony. He tied a rope on his neck and the other end on the Linga, he gently pulled out and straightened the curve of the Linga. Everyone witnessed were amazed at the devotion of Kungiliya Kalayar and deities showered flowers upon him. Kunigiliya Kalayar continued his divine service to Lord and finally attained the Abode of Lord Shiva.
In the Tamil month Avani – Moolam is widely celebrated as Guru Puja Day to commemorate the above incident.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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