Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi were once playing dice in Kailash, with Lord Shiva winning each game. Angered by her losses, Parvathi was cursed by Lord Shiva to become a cow on earth. He told her that the curse would be lifted after performing penance at a specific location. In this place, Parvathi, in the form of a cow, performed intense penance. In Sanskrit, "Go" means cow, and "Mukti" means relief. Since the cow was relieved of its curse here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Gomuktheeswarar, the one who granted liberation to the cow.
Legend :
Lord Shiva’s Gift of Gold Coins to Sambandar for Yagna : Saint Thirugnanasambandar was residing in this holy place with his father, Shivapada Hrudayar. One day, Shivapada Hrudayar desired to conduct a yajna (sacred ritual) in Sirkazhi and requested his son to arrange the necessary funds. In response, Sambandar sang a pathigam (a set of ten verses) in praise of Lord Shiva, praying for the required gold and materials to perform the ritual. Moved by the saint’s devotion, Lord Shiva placed a purse containing 1000 gold coins on the Balipeedam (sacrificial altar) through His bhoodaganas (divine attendants). These bhoodaganas informed Sambandar that the purse would always remain filled with gold. Sambandar presented the bag to his father, who successfully conducted the yajna. To this day, the Balipeedam where the event occurred remains in the temple, surrounded by idols of the bhoodaganas. Devotees believe that praying at this spot brings wealth and prosperity. Legend also holds that while Sambandar retrieved the purse, he noticed a pleasant fragrance, which he referred to as "Tamil Manam" (meaning “Tamil fragrance” or “scent” in Tamil). Suspecting that something significant might be hidden beneath the Balipeedam, he instructed the locals to move it. Underneath, they discovered 3000 songs composed by Saint Thirumoolar, written on palm leaves. This collection, known as the Thirumandiram, is now preserved in the temple's Mutt.
ThiruMaligai Thevar: The Devotee Protected by Lord Nandi : Thiru Maligai Thevar was one of the prominent devotees of Lord Shiva and is revered as the first among the nine Shaiva saints who composed the Thiruvisaippa in the Ninth Thirumurai. He was born into an Adi Shaiva family in Thiruvidaimarudur, and his home, Maligai Madam, gave him his name. A scholar and spiritual teacher to the Chola kings, Thevar eventually renounced his material life and became a saint. He practised severe austerities under a fig tree in Thiruvavaduthurai, earning divine blessings from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. When a local king named Narasingan, misled by false accusations, sent soldiers to execute Thevar, Goddess Ambika urged Lord Shiva to protect His devotee. In response, Lord Shiva commanded all the Nandi’s (his sacred bull) in the temple to defend Thevar. The Nandis chased away the soldiers, merging afterward into one colossal Nandi, which can still be seen at the temple's entrance. Notably, this event explains why there are no individual Nandi sculptures along the temple’s compound walls. Thiru Maligai Thevar was also known for his spiritual feats, such as reviving a dead man and helping the Chidambaram temple's car (Ther) resume its annual procession when it had gotten stuck. His legacy remains alive in the Thiruvavaduthurai Mutt, where his Samadhi (burial place) is located.
Emperor Musukunda Chakravarthy’s Blessing of a Child : As per legend, Emperor Musukunda Chakravarthy, who was childless, fervently worshipped an idol of Lord Thyagaraja gifted to him by Lord Indra. One night, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and instructed him to visit this temple to be blessed with a child. The emperor followed the divine instructions, bathed in the Gomukthi Theertham, and worshipped Lord Masilamaneeswarar.
Lord Shiva then appeared as Vanmeeganathar of Thiruvarur and granted the emperor's wish, blessing him with a child. Devotees who seek blessings for parenthood come to this temple, believing that Lord Shiva will fulfil their desires.
Sundarar’s Visit to the Temple : Saint Sundara Nayanar, one of the revered Nayanmar saints, visited this temple on his pilgrimage from Kanchipuram to Thiruvarur. He fell ill during his journey and prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. Moved by Sundarar’s devotion, Lord Shiva cured him of his ailment, after which Sundarar composed a hymn in praise of the Lord.
Navakoti Siddharpuram : Legend has it that nine crore Siddhars, including the great saint Bhogar, performed penance in this sacred place. Lord Shiva bestowed upon them the Ashtama Siddhis (eight yogic powers). Consequently, the site earned the name Navakoti Siddharpuram, indicating a place where numerous Siddhars attained divine wisdom.
Worship by Chera, Chola, and Pandya Kings : This temple has been a place of worship for many historical figures, including King Cheraman Perumal from the Chera dynasty, King Kochengata Chola from the Chola dynasty, and King Vikrama Pandyan from the Pandya dynasty. All three kings are believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here.
Lord Yama’s Worship : Another significant legend states that Lord Yama, the god of death, worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. In return, Lord Shiva blessed Yama and gave him the honour of taking the place of His bull, Nandi, as the mount of the Lord.
Arasapuram: The Divine Dance of Lord Shiva : In response to the prayers of the Devas and sages, Lord Shiva performed his celestial dance (Thandava) beneath the Arasa Maram, the temple's sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham). This dance gave rise to the name Bodhi Ambala Sabha for the temple’s divine hall, and the surrounding area came to be called Arasapuram. Devotees believe that the Devas and sages are present in the form of the Arasa tree in this temple.
Thunaivantha Ganapathi : According to legend, when Goddess Parvati came to this place to perform penance, Lord Ganesha accompanied her and guided her to the Lingam. Due to this, Lord Ganesha of this temple is worshipped as Thunaivantha Ganapathi, meaning “Ganesha who showed the way.”
Other Figures Who Worshipped Lord Shiva Here : It is believed that many divine and historical figures, including Goddess Parvati, Lord Brahma, the Devas, Dharuma Nandi, Emperor Musukunda Chakravarthy, Saint Agastya, Angaraka, Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Bhogar, Thirumoolar, Thirumaligai Thevar, and several royal figures from the Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties, have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.
Ancient Names of the Place : Throughout history, this sacred place has been known by several names, including Gomukthi Nagar, Arasapuram, Kokazhi, Sivapuram, Mukthi Kshetram, Nandi Kshetram, Brahmapuram, Agasthyapuram, and Bhooloka Kailasa. Each of these names reflects the spiritual and historical significance of the temple.
The Bestowal of Shiva Gnanam : As per legend, Lord Shiva bestowed the divine knowledge of Shiva Gnanam upon the sages and Lord Brahma in this sacred place, elevating its importance as a centre for divine wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.
Administration History :
The temple is administered by the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, which has been responsible for its management over the years. Historical records indicate that various kings contributed to the temple's development and maintenance, particularly during the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, and Vijayanagara periods. Significant inscriptions from these eras document endowments, gifts, and renovations made to the temple. The temple's administration has included the involvement of local mutts and communities dedicated to worship and service. This enduring legacy reflects the temple's importance in the spiritual and cultural landscape of the region.