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Tamilnadu Siddheswarar Temple
Kanjamalai Hills in Salem Tamil Nadu is long associated with famous Siddhar Saints. Siddhar Saint who is related to Kanjamalai is known by the name of Kalangi Nather. He was among 18 Siddhars well known across South India. Kanjamalai Hills was the place of worship and for this purpose a temple of Lord Shiva is situated at the top of the hills. A temple in the memory of Kalangi Nather is located at the foothills. Locals call him Lord Siddheswara or Sidar Koil and hence the name Siddheswarar Temple.
Kanjamalai Hills is located 14 km away in the western region of Salem. The place is also known for various herbs with potential of miraculous cures. Pilgrims regularly visit this place and take dips in the holy streams traversing these hills.
Siddheswarar Temple
The simple yet majestic Siddheswarar Temple is a prominent temple in the foothills of Kanjamalai. It is famous because of its association with pious and wise Siddhar Saint, Kalangi Nather. Devotees come to this place around the year and do not forget to take a bath in the holy streams before offering their ‘Pujas’. Daily Pujas begin with Suprabhata Sevai, which occurs in the morning. Locals believe that this temple dedicated to Sidar Koil is approximately 1000 to 2000 years old.
Salem district in Tamil Nadu is known for its places of religious interest. A number of temples are in this area and the majestic Siddheswarar Temple is surely one of the famous temples, a must visit for devotees, who come to this place. The main deity in the temple faces eastwards with 'Chin Mudra'. There is a large idol of, 'Nandi' facing Lord Siddheswara. It is believed that Siddhar Saints still live in this part of Tamil Nadu. The temple also has small Rajagopuram having an expansive Maha Mandapum. Most of the devotees come here during the full moon or during no moon (Amavasya). Special Pujas take place during this period and the place takes on a festive air. Because of the religious connotations associated with Amavasya, local people call Siddheswarar Temple, the Amavasyai Koil or the Temple of No Moon.
Numerous medicated ponds are located around the temple, which locals believe can cure skin diseases because of the presence of minerals and herbs.
Legend
A number of legends are associated with Sidar Koil and they add to the name and fame of this beautiful temple. According to one story, Kanjamalai Siddhar Saint presented Amritam or Manna to Adikaimaan, one of the Tamil rulers of that time here. He in turn gave it to Avvaiyaar, the famous Saint Poetess of the time.
According to another story, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva in the course of visiting various shrines of his Lord finally reached Kanjamalai. Through worship, he attained the status of Siddhar Saint. Finally, in Kaliyugam he attained a formless form within the precincts of the area where now his temple stands. He is the Lord Siddheswara whom the devotees worship until today.
Another interesting legend has to do with a Sadhu and his aging disciple who came to this part of Tamil Nadu for finding the secret to eternal youth. While the guru went to visit the nearby jungles, the disciple started cooking rice on the fire using the stick from the nearby ground to stir the pot. After some time the rice started to blacken and fearing the wrath of his Guru, the disciple consumed it himself. Miraculously, the ageing disciple turned into a young man after consuming the blackened rice. When the Sadhu returned and found this changed disciple, he also consumed the rice become young again. The Sadhu and his disciple were Tirumoolar with Kanjamalai Siddhar.
About Kanjamalai Siddhar
Setting aside the legends, religious researchers believe that Kanjamalai Siddhar was originally from Benaras. 'Kanjam' in Kanjamalai signifies copper, gold, or iron and ‘malai’ means hills. Sidar Koil was the main disciple of the mighty Saint Tirumoolar and among the seven chosen ones; to whom Tirumoolar was going to chose to shower his knowledge. The other six disciples were Indran, Rudhran, Brahman, Kanjamalaiyan, Soman, and Kanduru. Kanjamalai Siddhar is said to have attained Jeeva Samadhi, attaining the status of Lord Siddheswara at the place where this temple stands today.
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