G, interesting tidbits :-) especially that one about the Thennavan Aabathuthavigakl. Any more info about them?
Talking about tidbits...heard an interesting one last week from Dr. Kalaikkovan (we went on a one-day trip to a few rock-cut temples - Kuranganilmuttam, Mahendravadi, Vilappakkam)...
Talk came to the 'Paalkulathamman' issue - and I was amazed to learn that it wasn't 'Paalkulathamman' but 'Paazhkulathamman' :-))[the emphasis is on 'Paazh', you see.]Apparently, legend says that an Amman from another village/whatever, journeyed to this village, and asked this villages' resident amman for a place to reside. On being refused a space, she promptly jumped into the lake. And that's how the lake got it's name.:-)
> Amman from another village/whatever, journeyed to this village,and > asked this villages' resident amman for a place to reside. Onbeing > refused a space, she promptly jumped into the lake. And that's how > the lake got it's name.:-)
Such legends usually have some truth behind them. May be a destitute lady might have asked for shelter and the villagers might have refused. She commits suicide. Out of conscience or out of fear of being punished by this lady (ghost?) villagers might have constructed a temple and started worshipping her. Over a period of time, the lady becomes "amman". You might have heard about pazhiyanoor neeli whose story happened very near chennai - in thiruvalangadu. Balakumaran has written a novel titled "Purusha vadham" based on her story. I think there is some element of truth behind all these legends. I am always fascinated by the variety of these legends.