Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Mayakoothar Perumal Temple),
Tirukulandhai, Thoothukudi – Legends
Story behind the name Maaya Koothan:
This
temple history describes Lord Vishnu's power to perform miracles to serve his devotees.
Once one Asura, abducted Vishnu Bhaktha Vedasaran's wife Kumudhavalli. It is believed that
Lord Vishnu came on his Garuda Vahanam to defeat Asura Asmachaaran. The Asura
performed magic tricks but was vanquished by Vishnu.
Having
defeated the Asura, Vishnu is said to have performed his victory dance standing
on the Asura’s body. The Devas who watched this 'dancing victory' of Lord
Vishnu wanted him to provide darshan here as ‘Maaya Koothan’. And he restored
Kumudhavalli to her husband.
Reason behind the name Perungkulam:
In this
sthalam, a very big lake (kulam) is found and because of this, the sthalam is
also called as “Perungkulam”.
Story behind the name Baligai Vanam:
Lord
Vishnu had answered the prayers of Vedarasan, an andanan (brahmanan) for a
child. He got a daughter due to this penance and he named here Kamalavathi and
she started doing the tapas against Vishnu to attain him fully satisfied on her
tapas, he gave his Prathyaksham to her and made here as a small beat and kept
along with the Kousthuwa Muni (long chain made of beads) which is found in his
chest. Since, she was a small girl (Balikai), this sthalam is named as “Baligai
Vanam”.
Reason behind the name Tirukulandhai:
Kulam
means wealth and it also means as “Margazhi”. The Emperumaan along with two
pirattiyaars gives his Seva in Anandha stage and since there is a big lake
(Kulam) that is found close to the sthalam, the sthalam is named as “Tirukulandhai”.
