Thiruthevanartthogai (Madhava 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.
|
Congregation of Devas:
It's
been said that Lord Narayana married Godess Lakshmi Devi who emerged out of the
Thiruppaarkadal at this place. A congregation of Devas assembled at this shrine
and worshipped Lord Vishnu who gave Dharshan in marriage posture to them. Hence
it is called Devanaar Thogai (congregation of Devas).
It is
situated on the South bank of river Manni. It is believed that, after having Dharsan
of this perumal, unmarried persons get married and childless couples got the
boon of child birth.
Vashista worshipped Perumal here:
Purana
says Vasishta Muni meditated and worshipped Lord Madhava Perumal in
this place, who blessed him.
Unison of Shaivism & Vaishnavism:
As this
place was graced by the Celestial persons, the shadow of the Vimaanam falls
within the range of the Vimaanam (temple tower) itself. The term Madhavan,
Emperumaan are common for both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Henceforth to represent
this unison, though the temple is a Vishnu temple, there is a burial ground the
favourite place of Lord Shiva in the backyard of this temple.
