How Sundarar, Cheraman Perumal and Avvaiyar Went to Kailasa
Sundarar was a great friend of the king of Chera Kingdom called Cheraman Perumal in the present Kerala. Cheraman Perumal, the king, accorded Sundaramoorthy a royal welcome. The friends spent joyful days together in the palace. Sundaramoorthy then took leave of Cheraman Perumal. By now he had gone weary of worldly life and wanted to merge in the effulgence of Lord Shiva. He prayed to the Lord to break all his bonds. Shiva asked Indra to send his elephant Iravada to bring Sundaramoorthy skyward to Kailasa. Sundara mounted the great white elephant and paid a last visit to his trusted friend Cheraman at Tiru Anjaikkalam ( திருவஞ்சைக்களம் ), located in the vicinity of Kodungallur, near Thrissur. On learning about Sundara's itinerary, Cheraman wanted to accompany him; so he mounted his horse and whispered the Panchaakshaara into his ear. It was his belief that Shiva's mantra, the Panchakshara, was more potent than the Lord himself. The horse swiftly rose up and circled Sundara...