In a village called Gugur, earlier known as Nallagurur, there is a lovely temple for Shiva, who is known by the name Ambaravaneswarar. Situated amidst lush green fields, the deity in this temple is so known because in early days this place was surrounded by mango trees. ‘Aambaram’ meaning Mango tree in Tamil. The tree inside the temple is also a mango tree. (sthala vruksham)
According to legend the Pandavas are said to have visited this place during their exile. One day when the Pandavas were residing in Gugur, Draupadi is said to have asked Bheema to pluck a mango from a tree. Surprisingly there was only one mango in the tree and Bheema shook the tree with all his might. But the mango didn’t fall down. Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva arrived and they too couldn’t help. Lastly, Yudhishtra arrived and all the brothers together succeeded in making the mango fall to the ground. They went and gave the mango to Draupadi.
When she was about to eat the fruit, a wandering hermit and said “What have you done Draupadi? This mango tree bears one fruit once in 12 years and that too will fall only when asked by the great hermit Durvasa. It does not look good in your hands. Just put it back on the tree.”
The Pandavas were aghast at their action. “We should have realized that it was something special when it didn’t fall when Bheema shook the tree,” they thought.
“Durvasa is a very angry man. We should put the mango back on the tree, before he arrives,” said Yudhistra.
“But who will help us in this?” wondered the others aloud.
Yudhistra stood under the tree and thought of Krishna. He arrived immediately and asked them what the problem was. When they recounted what had happened, Krishna said, “So you want the mango to go up the tree?.
“Yes,” they chorused.
“All of you must say one truth from your lives, the fruit will then rise from the ground and reach its place on the tree.”
Soon each one of the Pandavas and Draupadi told a truth.
Yudhishtra said “If Duryodhana and his brothers live with good thoughts all of us will flourish and live well.
Bheema said ” I will kill Duryodhana and all the kings who are his allies. I will kill Shakuni and then kill Dushasana, whose blood I will drink. I will make Draupadi tie her hair after this.
The mango began going up the tree as each one of the Pandavas told their truths.
They were all thankful to Krishna for helping them at this moment and were glad that they escaped the curse of Durvasa.
Gugur is situated by the Kumbakonam- Nannilam Highway. The temple is 5 km east of Nachiyar Kovil which is 10 kms from Kumbakonam.
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