Paraithurainathar Temple

The Paraithurainathar Temple is located in Thiruparaithurai and is dedicated to God Paraithurainathar. This place was once known as Tharukavanam. The sages of the place were proud in the belief that they were supreme in all aspects. Their wives too were very proud thinking that they were the most chaste and beautiful. Wanting to teach these proud people a fitting lesson, God Shiva took the form a handsome beggar Bikshadana while God Vishnu appeared as Mohini, a woman of unsurpassed beauty. While the Rishis were enticed by the beauty of Mohini and followed Her, the Rishis" wives followed the beggar shedding their chastity. Seeing their wives following a beggar, the Rishis understood that there was some magic. They chased the Bikshadana and fought him with all the skills at their command had, but failed. They then understood that the handsome beggar was none other than God Shiva. They fell at His feet and begged His pardon. God Shiva became their Guru and appeared here as a Swayambumurthy. A statue of God Arthanareeswara is in the wall behind the sanctum sanctorum instead of God Lingodhbava. God Dakshinamurthy also graces in the Goshta wall. God Vinayaka praised as Parali Vinayaka graces outside the temple in a standing form.