devotees
of Lord Shiva,unable to face this harassment
left their state and went to a neighbouring state. Unfortunately
the family got caught up in a civil war that was raging
in that state. The children, one boy and the other a
girl, got separated from each other. Many years later
after wandering through many states they arrived in
Banares. By chance they met each other, fell in love
and got married without realising that they were siblings.
They found out their mistake afterwards and sought ways
of absolving their sin. They were advised to wear black
and to bathe in all the sacred waters in India and when
their black clothe turned white it was an indication
that they were absolved of their sin. Accordingly they
clothed themselves in black and went from place to place
in search of redemption. Finally they arrived at Papanasam
and when they bathed in the river their clothes turned
white thus indicating the absolution of their sin. Hence
the deity in this temple is called 'Papavinaseswarar'
(the redeamer of sins). |
