Pavadairayan

Introduction

Once Shakthi was reborn as Parvati. As Brahma also was with five heads, Parvati mistook him for Shiva and fell at his feet. When Parvati realised the truth, she was very angry and prayed to Shiva that the fifth head of Brahma should be destroyed. So Shiva as "Rudra" cut off one head of Brahma. This became a Brahmahathi Dosha. Now, Brahma now with four heads cursed Shiva that his fifth head must be attached to his hand itself and hereafter Shiva must be affected having hunger, and having no sleep. So Lord Shiva came to earth and roamed everywhere. When he was hungry he begged and ate, but half of the food he begged was eaten by the fifth head of Brahma: that is, the "Kabala" so Shiva roamed in every graveyard and slept in ashes.

Shiva, due to Brahma's curse, was begging for food. During this period, Pethandavan was a leader for Kalvikkadu. His job was to do robbery in other places and serve his people. Pethandavan was rich and powerful but he was suffering that he didn't have any children. So Pethandavan and his wife Pethandachi prayed Lord Shiva for child boons. Shiva came to his house for food, and Pethandachi was mesmerized that she couldn't believe that the person who is standing next to her was a beggar. She found a God's thing on his face. By answering her prayers, Lord Shiva in beggar form gave her a Prasadam, asked to eat and said, "A male child will be born to you and he will bring fame to your family and he will become world famous" and went.

Pavadairayan's appearance

As said, Pethandavan and Pethandachi had a male child. They named him "Kalvikaathaan" (the protector of Kalvikkadu). With all their joy, they treated the child as a gift of god. At the age of 5, they put him in learning all the arts. He attained high skills in learning arts and skills. As time passed, Pethandavan become old and he ordered his son to take his position and protect his region. But Kalvikaathaan was not interested in taking his father's job as they do robbery, kill lives, and incline residents and serve his people. He decided to tell his father that he was not interested but Pethandavan did not take up his words. So out of anger and no way he started to take a walk away from his region. He walked far away from his town.

As the time passed, the sun set and the darkness prevailed. Being a child, he was shouting in anger and afraid. The day was Amavasai. He saw a shape of a flame and got afraid. He asked, "who is this?" The flame replied, "My son, I am Goddess Angala Parameswari. I was waiting for you these many years. Don't be afraid. I will be there for you my son."

Goddess Angalaparameswari's order

"Only you can do a favour for me. A temple need to be constructed for me within tomorrow morning i.e., within Amavasai. But for this, you need to do certain things. As per the instructions given by Goddess Angala Parameswari, Kalvikaththaan completed all his difficult tasks and submitted in the foot of Goddess Angala Parameswari." She was very happy on his son's dedication to her. She asked him one more thing. She asked him to put his kudal and eeru (tonsils and intestines) on a Paavadai. With no hesitation he took a sword and cut his tonsils and intestines and dedicated on the paavadai.

Pavadairayan as family deity

Goddess Angala Parameswari was very much happy. She took him up and kissed him so that he got Aangaara Sakthi (the power of a god status). The temple was consecrated successfully with all the proper rituals. The temple was Melmalayanoor Angala Parameswari Amman Temple. She gave authority to him that he would be her Mun Kaavalan (the protector from the front). Wherever i have a temple you will be having a sannidhi outside my temple. People offer you goat, hen, pig, etc. By this true dedication of you," let you be the Kula Dheivam (family deity) for the laity people." Since this time, Goddess Angala Parameswari, Lord Pavadairayan serves as a family deity or Kula Dheivam for most of the people.

In Melmalayanoor Angala Parameswari Amman Temple, Tandavarayan (Lord Siva) was sitting next to Goddess Angala Parameswari Amman inside the temple. And at outside the temple, Pavadairayan has a separate sannadhi, facing the Goddess Angala Parameswari Amman along with his two wives Aranatchi Amman and Muthunatchi Amman blessing their devotees.

Parudhesiyappar Pavadairayar

There is another story on Lord Pavadairayan. Due to the curse of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva was suffering as a beggar in need of food. At that time, Lord Pavadairayan was ruling Vallam Padugai Village. Lord Shiva in beggar form entered Vallam Padugai in need of food. Being the ruler, Lord Pavadairayan did not recognize Lord Shiva, and instead he thought the man was just a beggar and would be a spy. So he arrested him. On completion of Sabam devas came to search Lord Shiva and found he was under jail. They told everything to Lord Pavadairayan that the beggar was Lord Shiva. Pavadairayan fell in Lord Shiva's foot and felt sorry. So Lord Shiva accepted him and blessed Pavadairayan to become the guard of Lord Shiva with his two wives. As Lord Shiva came in Paradhesi Kola (beggar form), so the temple is called as Parudhesiyappar Pavadairayar Temple.

Miracle based

In the 17th century, British planned to construct a railway track on a village near Cuddalore. But there was a temple of Lord Pavadairayan. So the British People decided to demolish the temple and construct the railway track. On the 1st day they started the work by placing the track. On the second day the track was like broken and thrown. They again placed the track and the next day they found in the broken condition. Then the Chief Engineer came directly and tried to demolish the temple. He lost his eyesight in a moment. After this incident, the British people realized that this temple has a power and they requested Parikaaram for this incident. Lord Pavadairayan came on a common man (marulaadi) and told them to place a terra cotta horse on his temple. As per this, the British people placed a terra cotta horse. They also changed the path of the railway track.

Speciality

Usually in the system of Kaval Dheivam, the deities will be outside the sannadhi of the main god. But Lord Pavadairayan is the only Kaaval Dheivam or Parivara Moorthy who has been given a status to sit in the lap of Goddess Angala Parameswari. This is something very special about Lord Pavadairayan.

Rayanpuram became Royapuram

There is another story about Lord Pavadairayan. Due to the curse of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva was suffering as a beggar in need of food. At that time, Lord Pavadairayan was ruling Vallam Padugai Village. Lord Shiva in beggar form entered Vallam Padugai in need of food. Being the ruler, Lord Pavadairayan did not recognize Lord Shiva, instead he thought the man was just a beggar and would be a spy. So he arrested him. On completion of Sabam devas came to search Lord Shiva and found he was in jail. They told everything to Lord Pavadairayan that the beggar was Lord Shiva. Pavadairayan fell at Lord Shiva's foot and felt sorry. But for being arrested Lord Shiva, it became Profanity. So in order to overcome the profanity, Lord Shiva advised to Pavadairayan, "In the north, there is a place called Aadhipuri (Now its Thiruvottriyur), nearby there is a place called Palmgrove. In Palmgrove, Goddess Kali Devi, in an apparition form, sitting in the shadow of a palm tree and ruling that place. You must go to her and live as a protector for her, only then your relieve from profanity.

As obeyed by Pavadairayan on Lord Shiva's words, he went to the Palmgrove where Goddess Kali is ruling. During worship, Pavadairayan was very happy to hear Goddess Kali's gelastic. He worshiped her in the direction of her laughter. Goddess Kali accepted Pavadairayan on his worship. So after that, Pavadairayan brought all his people, forces, troops to the place where Goddess Kali ruled and lived as a protector for her.

The place where Lord Pavadairayan and his people lived, is called as "Rayanpuram". After some period, it became "Royapuram". The place where Lord Pavadairayan served as a protector for Kali Devi is Royapuram, Kalmandapam Angalaparameswari Amman Temple.

போகர் 7000 சப்த காண்டம் 5615 ஆம் பாடல்

காணவே ஜெபதபத்தி லிருந்துகொண்டு

கருவான பிரணவத்தை வுச்சரித்தால்

பூணவே ஏவல்பில்லி சூனியங்கள்

பொல்லாத கறுப்பண்ணன் யேவல்சண்டி

தோணவே பாவாடைராயன் காத்தன்

தோறாத பிரணவத்தால் எல்லாஞ்சித்தி

வேணதொரு மாடனது வசியத்தாலே

வெட்டவெளி தேவதைகள் கைக்குள்ளாச்சே.

Pavadairayan on Mariamman's Thaalattu

பாவாடை ராயனைப் பற்றி மாரியம்மன் தாலாட்டில் நான்கு இடங்களில் வருகின்றது.

"பாவாடைராயனைத் தான் பத்தினியே தானழையும்" என இரு இடங்களிலும்,

"பாவாடைராயனும் தான் பக்கத்திலே கொலுவிருந்தார்" என்றொரு இடத்திலும்,

"பாவாடை ராயனும் பல தேவரும் வாழி" என்றொரு இடத்திலும் வருகிறது.

Worships

Lord Pavadairayan is worshipped most in in the form of "Nadukal" (worship of stones) and "Trees". In most of the Goddess Angalaparameswari's temples, Pavadairayan has a separate Sannidhi in which people worship. There are only a few temples for Lord Pavadairayan.

Temples

Angala Parameswari Amman - Pavadairayan Temple, Alangudi, Tiruvarur District.

Temples in Malaysia