Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Thiruthetriyambalam (Palli Konda Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends

Thiruthetriyambalam (Palli Konda Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends
Vishnu appearing in eleven forms on Shiva request:
The legends of all the eleven temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. As per legend, the Hindu god Shiva started dancing in fury at this place after the death of his consort Uma due to the yagna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Each time his lock of hair touched the ground; there were eleven other forms of Shiva who appeared. The celestial deities were worried that if the dance continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. They prayed to Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place.
On seeing Vishnu, Shiva's anger was reduced and he requested Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. On his request, Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur. Arimeya Vinnagaram literally translates to the place where Hari (another name of Vishnu) resides.
The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. They are;
Thirukavalampadi
Gopalakrishnan along with Rukmini and Satyabama.
Thiruvannpurushothamam
Purushothaman along with Purushothama Naayaki.
Thiru Sempon Sei Kovil
Perarulalan along with Allimaamalar Naachiyar.
Thiru Devanar Thogai
Deiva Naayagan along with Kadal Magal Naachiyar.
Thiru Mani Koodam
Varadharaja Perumal along with Thirumagal Naachiyar and Bhoomi Piratti.
Thiru Paarthanpalli
Thamarai Kelvan along with Thamarai Naayaki, in standing posture in all the above Kshetrams.
Thirumanimaada Kovil
Narayana Gyana Nandha Vilaku along with Pundarigavalli.
Thiruvaali Thirunagari
Amrudhavalli Vedharajan, Narashimar along with Amrudha Kada valli.
Thiru Vaigunda Vinnagaram
Vaigunda Nadhan along with Periya Piratti.
Arimeya Vinnagaram
Kudamaadu Koothan along with Amrudha Kada valli, in sitting posture in above 4 Kshetrams.
Thirutheythri Ambalam
Shenkann Maal along with Sengamalavalli, in sleeping posture of the type Bhujanga Sayanam.
Sages who worshipped Vishnu here:
It is believed that several sages like Agastya, Bharadwaja, Gautama and Varuna performed penance at this place.
Arrival of Srirangam Ranganathar on request of Shiva:
It is believed that the presiding deity of Srirangam arrived here on the request of Shiva. It is referred as Ambalam, which in Malayalam means temple.
Vishnu slaying Hiranyakshan by taking Varaha Avatharam:
Demon Hiranyakshan took the earth and hid in the Padala Loka – the world below the earth. All the sages and Devas reached Lord Vishnu for protection and restoration of the world at its original place. Lord Agreed to take the Varaha incarnation – a colossal swine form with a horn at the nose. Mother Mahalakshmi said that what she could do if he leaves her. So asked Adisesha the divine serpent serving Lord as bed, umbrella etc.  
Perumal advised them to go to Palasavanam and meditate upon him. He said that Lord Shiva also would join them and promised that he would be back after destroying the demon. Lord Perumal also said that this place would be called Tiruthetri Ambalam in Kaliyuga-the present period.  Adding, Perumal said that staunch devotee Sri Bashyakarar would bring 108 scholars initiated to Vaishnavism to this place and that he would take care and protect all beings.
Lord left for Padala Loka, destroyed the demon, rescued earth and placed it in its own place. Lord came to Palasavanam as promised to Mother Mahalakshmi and Lord Shiva and granted his darshan. He also relaxed here after the war with the demon half closing his handsome red eyes. Hence, Perumal is praised as Senganmal Ranganathar – Lord with red eyes.