Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram (Vaikunta Nathan 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.
|
People who worshipped Vishnu here:
Udhanga
Maharishi and King Uparisaravasu got the Dharsan of the Lord as he is in
Vaigunda Loga. The pious Viraja River which is considered to run across the
border of Vaikunda Loga is the theertham here.
Swetakethu had Darshan of Vishnu here:
King
Swetakethu belonged to Ikshvaku dynasty which Lord Sri Rama chose for his
incarnation. He loved every one and was a living example of honesty and
integrity. He and his wife had a passion to visit Vaikunda to have the
darshan of Lord Vishnu. As a king, he completed all his political duties
and set ready for penance with his queen Damayanthi. They prepared fire
around them, stood looking at the Sun and began a severe penance. Days
passed. They shed their mortal coil and reached Vaikundam but could not
find their Vaikunda Vasan. They stood sad. Maharshi came there.
Swetakethu
and Damayanthi fell at his feet and enquired him why they could not get the
darshan of Lord. Narada replied that though they performed severe
penance but failed to perform even small Homas and charities. That failure
was the cause of this failure. The remedy was that they had to worship
Lord Iravadeswarar on the banks of Cauvery on Earth and appeal to him, who
would help them to have Vaikunda darshan. Both prayed to Lord Iravadeswarar and
begged his help for Perumal darshan.
Lord
Iravadeswarar appeared before them and said that he too was waiting for Perumal
darshan and suggested that they could join him in penance. Meantime, Sage Udhanga
Maharshi also joined the in the penance. Thus four performed penance
together. When Vishnu appeared before them with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Lord
Iravadeswarar prayed that the place where the darshan was granted should be
honoured as Vaikunda Vinnagaram and that he should be worshipped as Vaikunda
Nathar. Thus, Perumal came here as Lord Vaikunda Vasan to this place with
Mother praised as Vaikundavalli.