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.
