Alagirinatha Swamy Temple, Salem – Greatness of Temple
This
place was originally known as Sri Shailam as Mother Sri was born here.
Later, it changed as Salem. Shailam means a holy place. Hanuman, who
accompanied Lord Sri Rama in search of Mother Sita, had a bath in the
Manimutharu River.
Seeing
the alluring handsomeness of Lord Azhagirinathar, he chose the place to
stay. In engagement ritual for marriages, the bridegroom side demands the
bride side to give their daughter promising on Lord Azhagirinathar. The
practice is still in vogue in this place.
The
philosophy that every being in the world is but a female before Lord, the
Parama Purusha though physically they appear different on earth and that a male
backing is necessary for every female in some form or other, is explained in
the sculpture of Lord having Mother in the chest.
It is
said that all the sages in Ramavatara became Gopikas to follow Lord Krishna in
the next avatar in support of this philosophy. This is depicted in the
sculpture on the Vimana.
People
pray here seeking remedy for nervous ailments as Sage Brugu was cured
here. He was arrogant once that caused him this defect. He prayed to
Perumal here for cure, it is said. Devotees pray to Lord Santhana
Gopalakrishna under the Punnai tree in the temple for child boon.