Saint Thirugnanasambandar has extolled the praise of the lord in his poetic outbursts . Thittai means Thittu or Medu ( an elevated spot).

During the deluge -Pralaya, there was water every where. The Pantheon of Gods were seized by Maya (Mirage) and feared that everything would perish.



They were puzzled and did not know what to do. At that moment they came across an elevated spot and found a temple there. They worshiped the deities in the temple.

The Pantheon of Gods worshiped the deities in this hallowed spot called Thittai.During their worship there was a primordial sound of OM. which reverberated in the atmosphere.

Lord Shiva appeared in Jyothi Swaroopa. His divine consort also appeared along with him.Shiva was happy with their devotion and granted them boons. He blessed them that they would look after their respective jobs of creation, protection and destruction. He also graced them with knowledge and wisdom.

From that sacred moment this place came to be called Then Kudi Thittai.
Presiding deity-Vasishteswarar.
Goddess-Ulaganayaki , Mangaleswari.

GURU BHAGWAN
Guru,-Jupiter a planet in the Navagrahas is consecrated in a separate shrine inside the temple.
He is called Guru Bhagawan as he is the teacher - Guru of the Devas ( celestials )
He is the son of Sage Angarees.
Guru Bhagawan is the main deity and he is consecrated in a separate enclosure sandwiched between the shrines of Vasishteswarar and Ulaganayaki.
He poses as Raja Guru standing imposingly. There is a separate Vimana for Him.

More about Thittai in the next article

(To be contd.)

UshaRaja