SPECIAL RITUALS FOR THE SPHINX-PURUSHAMRIGA
I have found two remarkable temple traditions that are directly
connected with the purushamriga.
The first is a ritual performed by the inhabitants of the village of Tiruvatavur
near Madurai for the obtaining of good rain. The second is the ritual run when
devotees follow the route taken by Bhima and the purushamriga and worship
at 12 temples in the duration of one day and night.
TIRUVATAVUR
In the village of Tiruvatavur near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, the
purushamriga is traditionally considered a guardian deity of the village.
The Mythology of the Shiva temple in this village recounts
how the purushamriga was
directed by Krishna to come to Tiruvatavur after the conclusion of the
Rajasuya performed by the Five Pandavas and remain there for the
well-being and benefit of the devotees. It is said to remove the sins and also
the fear of death from the devotees who visit the temple. A relief depicting the
purushamriga is situated high up in the passage through the temple gateway
(gopuram).
A short distance away from the temple there is a large artificial lake which
collects the rainwater during the monsoon. This lake is known as the Vishnu
Tirtham. Not far from the embankment or bund, the dike around the lake, is a
water meter. From a stone platform two poles rise up several meters. On top
of these poles is a capstone with a beautiful sculpture of the purushamriga.
For the people of this village it is the guardian deity of the lake. When the
monsoon does not come in the right time, or is insufficient for the tilling of
the land, the people organize a procession with traditional nadasvaram music
and drums. They burn a 100 coconuts and apply the ashes on the purushamriga.
Then they are sure there will be abundant rain. Wherever the clouds are,
they will gather here. How far the stone poles are submerged shows how
much water there is in the lake.
SHIVALAYA OTTAM
This one-day pilgrimage is performed in commemoration of the chase
between Bhima and the purushamriga, as recounted in the local temple
tradition.
It is a tradition connecting
12 temples in the Kanyakumari district, near to the southernmost tip of India,
also known as Cape Comorin. The tradition is said to express the concept
that lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are one.
On the day of Shivaratri, the day of New Moon in the Tamil month
of Maasi, one of the most significant days the Shaiva calendar, devotees
run 75 kilometers, and worship at 12 Shiva temples. They wear special robes,
and hold a fan made of palm-leaves in their hand. They chant
‘Govinda-Gopala’, names of Lord Vishnu. Those who perform this pilgrimage
fast for one week before the New Moon day. During this period they eat
only tender coconut and tender palmyra fruit during the day,
and eat tulsi (basilicum) and drink water during the night.
