Thread by @sk_diary1

Beautiful #sculpture of
Kshetrapuraneswarar & Ambal -
Lalithambigai #temple,
Thirumeeyachur,Near Mayiladuthurai,TN

This is the place where Lalitha Sahasranamam(1000 sacred Names) originated.

There is an interesting #story related to this sculpture.
#storytimethread
1/n

Legend #story - It is believed that this is temple is birth place of Kashyapa Maharishi’s sons, Arunan& Garudan.Arunan(charioteer of Surya)was physically handicapped
He was a Shiva devotee.Arunan wanted to visit Kailash to have Shiva Darshan,but Surya denied permission.

2/n

Hence Arunan took the form of a girl & was on his way to Kailasam. On the way Surya saw this girl & outraged her modesty. Shiva was very angry with Surya Bhagavan for misbehaviour & cursed him to get darkened. Whole world plunged into darkness.Suryan pleaded to forgive him.

3/n

Shiva Bhagwan asked him to go to Thirumiyachur & worship him here for seven months. As advised, Suryan performed rigorous penance,placed idols of Shiva
& Parvathy on an elephant & took them to the clouds.Shiva in this temple is known as Meganathaswamy,Devi as Lalithambigai

4/n

Even after severe penance,Surya cries out in agony as Siva does not appear.Disturbed by his call, Parvati protests.Siva pacifies Her and offers Surya relief.The sculpture of Shiva pacifying Ambal shows her sullen from one angle &smiling from another.

5/n

Shiva blessed her to be Shanta nayagi.Devatas called vasini emerged from Lalithambigai’s mouth&sung the Lalitha Sahasranamam(1000 names) in praise of Goddess here.
Hayagrivar conveyed lalita sahasranamam to Agasthiya Rishi
Agasthiya came to this temple & worshiped the goddess
6/n

This stotra is found in Brahmanda purana as discussion between Hayagreeva &Agasthya. Hayagreeva -incarnation of Vishnu(horse head)Agasthya is one of great Rishis.At his request Hayagreeva taught him 1000 names of Lalithambigai&gifted to us lalitha Sahasranamam.
7/n

📸 - resp.owners
Source text - based on details in templesoftamilnadu and Dharisanam websites

Do read this #storytimethread about origin of Lalitha Sahasranamam 🙏
@BharatTemples_ @punarutthana
@Krishna_Priiya @TempleTrails
@Devalayatrika @Itishree001
@almightykarthik @VertigoWarrior

Do read this #storytimethread about origin of Lalitha Sahasranamam 🙏
@BharatTemples_ @punarutthana
@almightykarthik @Krishna_Priiya
@Itishree001 @Devalayatrika
@VertigoWarrior @artisdiary