Airulmigu Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

The Tamil poet Otthakkoothar attained liberation at this spot. It was here that he composed Thakayagaparani.

The Otthakkoothar, who sang the Uttarakandam, was a devotee of Veerabhadra. He was instructed by King Rajaraja Chola to build a temple for Veerabhadra. He accepted it and built the temple here. Otthakkoothar, who resided in the Veerashaiva mutt at Kumbakonam Mahamagam tank, used to come here every day and guide Veerabhadra on his path, considering it as his duty." +"Once, someone went to him through the path of the mutt where Otthakkoothar resided and sang a Thevaram song. Otthakkoothar asked him the meaning of the song. He replied that he did not know the meaning. Hearing this, Otthakkoothar got angry and cursed him. He then passed away. The relatives of the deceased came searching for Otthakkoothar. Otthakkoothar, who narrated what happened to him to the man, disappeared from that place. The King, who had decided not to disturb the great poet, made his son into Otthakkoothar. " +"'It's a sin to harm a scholar,' he said. 'So, leave him in the mutt!'Then, Otthakkoothar came running and said, 'I will take punishment for the mistake I made. But a condition! It's my duty to see Veerabhadra every day. Today, I cannot complete that duty. Therefore, permit me to leave before I regret it,' he said. They agreed. Otthakkoothar went to see Veerabhadra, and then, he entered the temple of Mulaischalammal (Modchalammal) nearby and closed the door. The people who gathered there waited for him. The night passed, but he did not come out. Neither did the people leave him alone. The worried Otthakkoothar, to protect himself, pleaded with the goddess and sang praises about having won the war." +" 'You will protect me through his grace!' she said. Otthakkoothar sang songs of penance accordingly.The next day, he handed over what he had written to those outside the temple. Those who read it happily praised Otthakkoothar and left. Subsequently, they performed a grand event for Otthakkoothar. This is the headstone created by Thakkayagaparani.