Tiru-Aappaadi, is inextricably linked with the life and legend of Chandeswara Nayanar, one of the 63 revered Nayanars, the Shaivite saints of Tamil Nadu. This site served as the pastoral grounds where Chandeswara Nayanar would lead his cows to graze, and it was here, beneath the sprawling canopy of a fig tree, with the pristine white sands of the nearby riverbed, he crafted a Shiva Linga for his worship. The name Aappaadi, derived from the Tamil word 'Aa' (pronounced akin to the 'a' in 'all'), meaning cow, stands as a testament to the pastoral roots of this site, etching chandeswara Nayanar's name into the annals of Shaivite hagiography.
The temple's modest front entrance belies the spiritual significances that lie within its walls. Devoid of the customary tiered tower, the entrance instead features a captivating sculpture of Shiva and Parvathy atop a rishabha vahana, flanked by standing depictions of Vinayaka and Muruga. This portal leads to an outer prakaram, or courtyard, which houses a serene nandavanam garden and a pancha-murthy mandap nestled in its northeastern corner. Beyond the customary flagstaff, altar, and nandi lies another enclosure adhering to the unique 'vavval nethi' style, its shape evocative of a bat's forehead. Within this enclosure, the south-facing sannidhi of the female deity resides to the right. As one traverses the inner prakaram's path, the 'stahala vruksham', a sacred fig tree, emerges in the southwestern corner, accompanied by a Shiva Linga beneath its sheltering canopy. This spot, where Chandeswara once worshipped the Shiva Linga, evokes a profound sense of reverence and awe. The temple's Goshta Murthas include Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma, and Goddess Durga, while the western side of the inner walkway houses sannidhis for the primary four nayanmars, Muruga, Mahalakshmi, Vinayaka, Subramanyar, Saneeswarar, and Bhairvar. In keeping with Shiva temple traditions, Chandeswarar occupies the northern side of the prakaram. However, this temple boasts a unique feature: a second Chandeswarar, depicted seated beneath a fig tree, engaged in worship of a Shiva Linga, graces a dedicated sannidhi in the 'artha mandap' before the sanctum, making this dual presence of Chandeswarar a distinguishing characteristic of this sacred space.
In the sacred village of Seyngyalur near Aappadi, a divine soul named Visarasarmar was born to the pious couple Yechaththan and Pavithrai. From a tender age, Visarasarmar immersed himself in the profound wisdom of the Vedha Agamas, mastering their esoteric teachings and cultivating a deep appreciation for the sacred arts. One fateful day, as he frolicked with his fellow young scholars, all of whom were well-versed in Vedic knowledge, Visarasarmar found himself in a pasture where cow-herds tended to their gentle bovine charges. There, he witnessed a distressing scene - a cow, in a moment of agitation, attempted to strike the herd with its horns, only to be beaten by the herdsman in retaliation. Moved by compassion, Visarasarmar gently admonished the herdsman for his harsh treatment of the animal. With the blessings of his learned companions, he took upon himself the noble task of herding the cows, showering them with love and care. Under his tender stewardship, the cows flourished, their udders brimming with an abundance of milk. Inspired by this bounty, Visarasarmar's heart swelled with the desire to offer this precious liquid in worship to Lord Shiva. By the banks of the river Manni, beneath the sheltering canopy of an Aththi tree, he crafted a Shiva Linga from the river's silken sands, anointing it reverently with the milk of the cows he so lovingly tended. Yet, not all understood the depth of his devotion. A misguided individual, witnessing this sacred act, hastened to the cow owners with a tale of wasteful indulgence, accusing Visarasarmar of squandering the precious milk. The owners, perturbed by this report, summoned Yechaththan, Visarasarmar's father, urging him to reprimand his son. The following day, Yechaththan trailed his son as he led the cows to pasture, his heart heavy with the weight of the townspeople's words. There, he beheld Visarasarmar's act of devotion, the milk cascading over the sand-crafted Linga in a sacred offering. Enraged, Yechaththan raised his staff, raining blows upon his son's absorbed form. Yet Visarasarmar, lost in the rapture of his Shiva puja, remained oblivious to the physical onslaught, his mind and body wholly surrendered to the divine. This only served to further inflame Yechaththan's anger, and in a moment of blind fury, he kicked the Shiva Linga, an act of grave Shiva 'Aparatham'. Visarasarmar, though cognizant of his father's identity, recognized the gravity of this transgression. With unwavering resolve, he cast the staff before him, which miraculously transformed into an axe, severing Yechaththan's leg. Undeterred by this shocking turn of events, Visarasarmar remained steadfast in his devotion, completing his Shiva puja with single-minded focus. Lord Shiva, moved by this display of unwavering dedication, manifested before him, enfolding Visarasarmar in a divine embrace. He declared himself the young devotee's father, bestowing upon him the exalted title of Chandesa, proclaiming that all that was His now belonged to Visarasarmar. In a gesture of ultimate grace, Lord Shiva removed the garland of flowers from his own braided hair, placing it upon Visarasarmar as a symbol of his elevated status. Thus, Visarasarmar became known as Chandesa Nayanar, a beacon of devotion and a leader among Lord Shiva's followers.
The incident involving Visarasarmar is mentioned in the 4'th stanza of the 'pathikam' composed by Tirugyanasambandhar. According to local folklore, there is an additional tale associated with this sacred site. As the story goes, a shepherd from the nearby village of Appadi was carrying a jug of milk he had just procured back to his dwelling. During his journey, he accidentally stumbled at a particular spot along the path, causing the jug to topple over and spill its contents. Overcome with anger and frustration at his misfortune, the shepherd impulsively took the sickle he was carrying and struck the ground at the place where he tripped. To his shock and amazement, blood began to flow from the wounded earth. At that moment, the Lord manifested in the form of a Shivalinga, his divine body bearing the mark of the shepherd's strike and stained with blood. The shepherd, realizing the gravity of his ignorant action and overcome with remorse, prostrated himself before the deity. Seeing the shepherd's repentance and anguish, God Shiva bestowed his grace upon him, thereby cementing the sanctity and spiritual potency of that location for generations to come.
The sacred temple of Sri Palukandeeswarar in Tiru-Aappadi, Tamil Nadu, holds immense spiritual significance, particularly during the auspicious occasion of the new moon day on Mahashivaratri. According to ancient lore, it was on this very day that Lord Shiva along with Parvathy, mounted on his sacred bull as 'Rishabaruda' manifested himself, before Chandikeswarar, granting blessings and enlightenment. To commemorate this momentous event, the temple conducts elaborate abhishekam-aradhanas and special worship rituals, drawing thousands of devout pilgrims from surrounding towns like Kumbakonam, Aduthurai, Papanasam, Anicarai, Ariyalur, and Jayangkondam. The devotees gather to seek the darshan of Sri Palukandeeswarar, firmly believing in the transformative power of this sacred act. It is said that by taking a holy dip in the temple's theertham or sprinkling its blessed water upon one's head on the day of Mahashivaratri, one can attain the merits of their next birth, paving the way for a life filled with abundance, peace, and spiritual liberation. Furthermore, the act of anointing and worshipping Sri Periyanayaki with garland made of fragrant flowers and Sri Palukandeeswarar with garland made from the leaves of 'vilva', is believed to absolve one of the sins accumulated across previous births. As devotees, it is our solemn duty to visit and pay homage at this revered temple, where Visarasarmar, the recipient of the exalted title Chandeswara, once worshipped. By ensuring the temple's proper maintenance and preservation, we not only honor the divine presence that resides within but also contribute to the continuation of a timeless spiritual legacy.