A Temple where the Goddess Gets Periods

The royal wedding of Sri Parameswara and Parvathy Devi was about to happen. All the Devas, Siddhas, Sadhyas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Rishis, and Munis had gathered at the Himalayas. Because of this, there was an imbalance of weight on Earth. It looked as if the axis of the Earth itself would tilt because of this imbalance.

Trimurhtys asked Agastya Maharshi to go down south and sit on top of a mountain called Shonadri on the southern banks of the river Pampa until the event was over so that the weight is counterbalanced.

Agastya was a very powerful Maharshi. He could become as heavy as he wanted. Agastya Maharshi agreed but was disappointed that he would not be able to witness the wedding ceremony. Trimurthys said, 'Don't worry. Once this is over, we will all come to you and redo the marriage right in front of you.'

Just as they promised, after the wedding, they all together came to Agastya Maharshi at Shonadri. But as soon as they reached there, Parvati Devi got her periods. So, instead of the wedding, it was her Rutu Shanti celebration that took place there. Agastya Maharshi also became happy to have participated in the celebration.

A long time went by. The place remained a forest. Once a woman who was cutting grass in the forest was sharpening her knife on a rock. Suddenly, blood started oozing out of that rock. She became scared, went, and reported the matter. The lord of that place immediately called in scholars, and they all went to see what was going on. A Mahatma, after meditating at the place, told that it was not an ordinary rock. It was a Shiva Linga.

Puja and propitiatory measures were started immediately. After some time, the bleeding stopped. Through the proper procedure, it was soon identified that Lord Mahadeva, along with Parvathy Devi, was present at that place. It was decided to build sanctum sanctorum for both Shiva and Parvathy separately, Shiva facing east and Parvathy facing west.

There was a very famous sculptor called Perunthacchan. The temple was built under his supervision and guidance. They had only got the Shiva Linga from the jungle. When it was time to make the idol for Devi, Perunthacchan inspected the whole area and told people to start digging at the northwest corner. A very beautiful idol of Devi was hidden underground. It was perfect in every respect.

Both Shiva Linga and Devi’s idol were installed following proper procedures. Everyone had great faith in this temple. One day, when the temple priest was removing the garments of Devi as part of the early morning rituals, he found a blood stain on them. He handed them over to one of the attendants. He took and showed it to the female head of the family which was taking care of the temple. Looking at it, she realized that it was a stain due to menstrual bleeding. The garments were also sent to the wife of the head priest of the temple. She was also convinced that it was a menstrual stain.

Immediately, arrangements were made to shift the chaitanya in the idol to a smaller idol which was taken to another room within the temple complex in the northwest corner. The sanctum sanctorum was closed for three days, and pujas for the Devi were carried out in the other room. Devi was living in seclusion as per customs observed by ladies. Four ladies were also deputed to stay in that room to give company to Devi during that time.

On the fourth day, the idol was mounted on top of a female elephant and taken to the river for the ceremonial bath of Rutu Snana, after which the sanctum sanctorum was reopened, and puja started again. These rituals are carried out so meticulously that when Devi took the ceremonial bath and came back, Lord Mahadeva was also brought out of his garbha gruha to receive her.

The next month again, Devi got her periods. This continued further, and the rituals at the temple were fixed accordingly. One day, the sculptor of the temple, Perunthacchan, came with an idol made of Pancha dhatu and said that after a few centuries, there would be a fire at this temple, and the original idol would be damaged. At that time, this idol should be installed. Until that time, it should be kept under water in the river which is flowing through the northern side of the river. He also instructed that this should be documented and kept for the benefit of people then.

After many centuries, the temple was damaged in a major fire. Reconstruction started, and it was time to make the new idol. The head priest saw in his dream, not once, but many times, to check the documents of the temple. In the documents, they found the instruction given by the sculptor about the Pancha dhatu idol. Even though they checked in the river as mentioned, they could not find any. But later, it was discovered by some fishermen. This idol only is installed in the temple now.

The occurrence of periods of Devi continues even now, and the connected rituals are still carried out. The place called Shonadri is today called Chengannur, which is in the state of Kerala.

Knowledge Bank

Who started the Bhakti movement in South India?

Bhakti movement in South India was started by Vaishnavite saints called Alwars and Shaivaite Saints called Nayanars.

Where did Lord Venkateswra get married?

Lord Venkateswra got married at Narayanavanam which is at a distance of 38 km from Tirupati. This used to be the capital of Akasaraju, father of Padmavathy Devi.