Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Thiruparkadal –
Legends
Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal:
Maharshi
Pundarika took up a pilgrimage to Vishnu temples. When he landed on this
temple at Narayana Chathurvedhi Mangalam, he was shocked to see Shiva in the
sanctum and retreated regretting the mistake. Asuras, Karan and Doosan,
had undertaken penance here and hence Lord Shiva is referred to as
Doosheshswarar at this temple. An aged person intercepted him and told the
Rishi that what he saw was the shrine of Lord Vishnu. Rishi denied. The
aged person took the Rishi to the sanctum and stood on the Avudayar as Prasanna
Venkatesa Perumal and explained him that Shiva-Vishnu were one and not
different from each other. The Lord also told the Rishi that as he could
not worship Vishnu in Thiruparkadal, the darshan was offered to him here. As
the Lord offered his ‘Prasanna’ – darshan, the Lord is praised as Prasanna
Venkatesa Perumal.
Nakshatra Temple for Thiruvonam Starrers:
Of the
27 stars, only 2 have the prefix Tiru, Tiru Onam attributed to Perumal and Tiru
Adhirai to Lord Shiva. Tiru represents all auspiciousness. The beauty and
luster of Chandra the Moon began to diminish due to a curse. One of
his wives, the deity of Tiruvonam star performed intense penance on Perumal for
his remedy. Pleased with her penance, Perumal appeared before her on
a Tiruvonam star day and relieved Moon of his curse. Since then,
this shrine assumed importance for the Tiruvonam star.
This is
a nakshatra parihara Sthalam for Thiruvonam/Saravana nakshatra folks. Those
born in Thiruvonam nakshatra are encouraged to visit this temple as often as
possible in their life time. However, the days of Thiruvonam nakshatra are
ideal for visit. Devotees generally visit this temple during Vaikunda Ekadesi
festival and during days of Pradoshams.
Thiruparkadal:
Visiting
these two temples (Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple & Ranganatha Perumal
Temple) is said to bear fruits equivalent to visiting the 107th Divya Desam
(Thiruparkadal) which one cannot visit in this Bhoo Logam.
Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam:
After
visiting Kanchi, the Saptha Rishis went to Sholinghur Divya Desam and undertook
penance there. Four of the Saptha Rishis came here to Thiruparkadal and recited
the four Vedas. Hence, this place was referred to as Narayana Chaturvedi
Mangalam.
