shri agastheeswarar
Shri UmaMaheswar, the savior of the world, He, who creates and protects all the creatures in the world, will be in the form of Swayambu (self created), Aarsham (consecrated by Sages, Rishis and Maharishis) and Manusham (consecrated by the kings or devotees).
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Here in Sembangudi alias Swarnapuri alias Kanagapuri, Lord Shiva is in the Aarsham form, consecrated by Maharishi Shri Agasthiyar, fond disciple of Shri Hayagrivarar. Shri Hayagrivar, is the one who received Shri vidhya upasakam directly from the Supreme Goddess Ambal. Shri Hayagrivar in turn gave the ardent secret to Shri Agasthiyar and hence to the world. And since Shri Agasthiyar consecrated Lord Siva, this place is well known for its Shri vidya upasana and the Lord Shiva is called as “Shri Agastheeswarar”.
The history of the same is as follows:
Once there was a Pralayam (“Pralayam” means “Cyclone”. This was created by Lord Siva, as evil took an upper hand in the world), and, Shri Agasthiyar was in his meditation, he did not realize that his Kamandalam, containing genes for the creation of next generation, post world destruction, is moving along the stream. When he woke up from his meditation, he realized his miss, went to Lord Shiva for help. By Lord Shiva’s grace, Shri Agasthiyar found the kamandalam near Kudavasal, near the Cauvery river bank. However, he could not open the same and went back to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva with his Banasthram ( one of the various asthrams) broke open the Kamandalam and the same hit a place, which is called as “Kudavasal” and the water from the Kamandalam started flowing as a river, which is called as River Kudamurati. Later, this river is named as “Chozha Sudamani” by the Chola king. As a mark of respect and devotion, Maharishi Shri Agasthiyar consecrated the Dhyanalingam in the river bank of “Chozhasudamani”, performed Poojas and rituals.