Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Thiruthevanartthogai (Madhava Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends

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.