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December 2002 Update
We present an update on the Dakshina Gokarneshvara temple in
Tiruvarur where the kriti 'Gokarneshvara' in Saurashtram is set.
The temple in its present state
The temple is under extensive renovation.The balalayam had been
performed on 26th September 2002 and construction is in progress.The God
here is Dakshina Gokarneshvara and his consort Anandavalli.
As
far as the nomenclature goes , there is a misconception that this Gokarna is
the Southern one and the one at Karnataka the Northern one.This temple is
situated to the South of the Tyagesa temple.However the local sthalapurana
has a different version which goes thus:
There were two brothers named Gokarna.By mistake, Yama takes them before
the completion of their lifespan.Yama
realises his mistake and advises them to install the Lord at
Tiruvarur.Accordingly they install the two Gokarneshvaras - Dakshina and
Uttara Gokarneshvara-Vandambal and prospered.
As known this stala is famous for the Shiva temple and Vishnu temple at
Pulivalam situated next to each other.This is famous for removing the fear
due to Yama and has the legend of Sage mrkandu performing penance.
A related article on
Gokarneshvara
This contains information from veteran journalist Shri.Bharanidharan aka
Shridhar's book
Dikshitar paadiya tiruttalangal.
Those
interested in sending contributions may contact:
Dr.K.T.R.G.J. GopalaKrishnan,
I.P.Koil Street,
Vijayapuram,
Tiruvarur 610 001
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