கீழப்பரசலூர் வீரட்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில் (திருப்பரியலூர்)Thirupariyalur (Keelaparasalur) Veerateeswarar Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Veerateeswarar Temple (Dakshapureeswarar) at Keelaparasalur — the ancient Thirupariyalur, in Sembanarkoil, Mayiladuthurai district — is the Ashta Veerattanam shrine of the destruction of Daksha's yagna. According to the puranic legend, Daksha performed a great sacrifice but pointedly slighted Shiva and his daughter Dakshayani (Sati); unable to bear the insult, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. The enraged Shiva created Veerabhadra, who with the bhuta-ganas laid waste to the sacrifice and beheaded Daksha; on the pleading of the assembled gods and Daksha's wives, Shiva relented and restored Daksha to life with a goat's head. Shiva is worshipped here as Veerateeswarar in a square, self-formed lingam, with his consort as Ilankobanayaki (Ilam Kobanayal); the festival image is Yaga Samhara Murti. A Paadal Petra Sthalam praised in the Tevaram. Chief observances include Tamil New Year abhishekam and poojas to Yaga Samhara Murti, and Rudrabhishekam thrice yearly in Aani, Aippasi and Thai.