Yogeeswar at Thiru-Korkai

 The temple features:

This temple is located in Thiru-Korkai(present name is Kurukkai) about 8 kms from Mayiladu-thurai 
The carpet area of the temple is 1,14,000 sqft and is built facing south. It has a tower in five stages. The temple has 2 corridors.(Pragarams)

The deity is called Yogeeswar in the west facing pose and it is said the deity is self incarnated.
The lord's consort Devi Poorani has seperate Sanctum facing south.
There is a theertham called sthoola-theertham and it is located opposite to the temple.
The temple tree is Kadukkai-viruksham

The saints who sang hymns on the Lord:
Thiru-navu-k-arasar,

There are 21 one stone inscriptions proclaiming details of this kshetram.

Significance of this temple is that Lord Siva did 8 valourous deeds in 8 different places (called Ashta- Veera lakshnam.) and this is one of those 'sthalams' where Lord Siva burnt Manmadha .

Legend: Once Demon Tharagan did penance to Brahma for a long time in his garden with his two hands raised upward and standing on one leg. The Lord did not appear before him. But he did not give up his efforts . Again he supported himself on one big toe with the other leg folded up and did penance to the Lord for many years. Even then he did not succeed. At last he did penance standing on Panchagni for many years. As he was doing the penance there was a fire ball that rose from his head and went all over the universe. All devas and people of the earth suffered from the heat.

Every one prayed to Lord Brahma and requested him to grant what-ever boon Tharuga wished for.Brahma appeared before Tharuga and asked him the purpose of his aggressive Penance? The demon bowed to Brahma and pleaded to the Lord that "I should not be killed either by Devas or human beings.If I have to die it should be only at the hands of Lord Siva's son".Brahma granted the boon as he wanted.

Demon Tharugan happily returned home. Hearing the news about Lord Brahma's boon all other demons arrived at Demon Tharugan's place and they made him as their supreme. In due course Tharuga showed his true nature and conquered the world. Devas and hermits and ordinary people of the earth became his slaves. Devas were vexed by the demons torture. So they prayed to Brahma and appealed to the creator about the demon's cruelty. Brahma said that he could do nothing about this problem because he gave a boon that Tharuga could be killed only by Lord Siva's son.

Siva was in deep meditation on fire(Yogagni) No one could interrupt him . So Indira got an idea. He called Manmadha and told him that he was seeking an help from him. Manmadha was ready to help. Indira said to Manmadha "Magatyeya you have to interrupt Lord Siva's Meditation" In the beginning Manmadha was reluctant but later he accepted to Indira's instructions on the Lord's meditation. He went to Siva's place and found that the Lord was in deep 'Dyan'. Manmadha was a little scared but he had to fulfil the word given to Indira. So he fired an arrow of love on to Lord Siva. With this The Lord became a little confused and was very upset because his meditation was disturbed. Angrily he looked around and found Manmadha standing near him. The Lord could not control himself and opened his third eye and burnt him.

Manmadha met his fate because he did not realise Lord Siva's prowess. From this all should learn that one should not undertake deeds unless the opponents  strength is known.


                                        

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