ThiruVaragunamangai Perumal Temple, (Vijayaasana
Perumal Temple), Natham, Thoothukudi – Legends
The Name Varagunamangai:
Varagunamangai
is referred to in one of the poems of Nammalvar, he must be posterior to Varaguna Pandya from whose name it is assumed Varagunamangai took
its name. But there are number of instances where this logic is not pertinent. The
temple has a 9-tier Rajagopuram amidst lush vegetation around the temple. The
lord here appeared in answer to the prayer of sage Romesa who performed severe
penances for several thousand years.
Vedavi attaining Moksham:
Once
upon a time on the banks of the Reva river in a village called “Punniya gosham
agraharam” a person called Vedavi performed his duties to his mother ,father
and guru and started his penance chanting ‘Aasanathai’ mantra with a view to
have Dharshan of Vishnu . Vishnu went to him in the guise of Brahmin and told
him that to chant ‘Aasanathai’ mantra at Varaguna Mangai. Accordingly Vedavi
came here; observed rigorous penance received the grace of Vishnu and attained
the liberation from life. The place where he chanted Aasanathai mantra and got
the Dharshan of the lord, the Lord came to be known as Vijayaasanar.
Vishnu darshan to Roma Maharishi:
At this
temple Vishnu appeared to Rishi called ‘Romesa’ who cured Brahma of his
arrogance. He appeared to ‘Savitri’ who retrieved her husband alive with her
truth and also to Lord Agni (fire) who would incinerate Adharma and atrocities.
Vijayaasana here graces everyone as Lord Satya Narayana, sitting under the
umbrella borne by Aadhi sedan. According to Romesa Rishi somebody dies at this
temple won’t have birth again and attain the ultimate eternity of
liberation.
Fisherman attaining Moksham:
Another
story goes that a fisherman, who had cast a net at this Theertham, was bitten
by a snake and immediately attained moksham thus reaching the abode of the
Lord. Romasa rishi narrated to his son the story of the fisherman attaining
moksham referring to his previous life as a king, who had performed harsh acts
and hence had to lead the current life as a fisherman. But sincerity in
performing all his duties in this life led him to attaining the Lord’s feet. As
he attained moksham here, the theertham at this temple is said to be sacred.