In the celestial realms, Sankakannan, one of Shiva's devoted ganas (attendants), faced a grave predicament. He had failed in his duty to guard Parvati, Shiva's consort. This lapse in duty angered Shiva, leading to Sankakannan being cursed to be born on earth as a mortal. Thus, Sankakannan was reborn as Balasiddha in the tranquil village of Bommapalayam in Tamil Nadu.
As Balasiddha grew up, he was deeply inspired by the tales of Murugan, the valiant son of Shiva and Parvati, particularly the story of Murugan's epic battle with the demon Soorapadman. Convinced that only Murugan could absolve him of his curse, Balasiddha devoted himself to worshipping the deity with unwavering faith and dedication.
Despite Balasiddha's fervent prayers, Murugan, respecting the divine order established by his father Shiva, initially refused to lift the curse. Even the heartfelt pleas of his consorts, Valli and Devasena, couldn't sway his decision. This steadfastness led to an unexpected turn of events—Valli and Devasena, disheartened by Murugan's stance, sought refuge at Balasiddhar's hermitage.
In a bid to reclaim his consorts, Murugan disguised himself as a hunter and ventured into the hermitage. However, the moment he stepped in, Balasiddhar, with his deep spiritual insight, recognized the divine presence of Murugan. Overwhelmed, he fell at Murugan's feet, offering his respects and surrendering himself completely.
Moved by Balasiddhar's unwavering devotion and humility, Murugan decided to lift the curse, thus restoring Balasiddhar's celestial status. With the curse lifted, Valli and Devasena joyfully returned to Murugan, reuniting the divine family.
This tale of devotion, redemption, and divine grace is closely associated with the Mailam Murugan Temple in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. The temple stands as a testament to the enduring bond between devotees and the divine, encapsulating the essence of faith and the power of redemption.