Thiruvellakkulam (Annan 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.
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Thiruvannpurushothamam
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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.
|
Vishnu blessed Swetharaja with long life:
Swetharaja,
the son of Thunthumaran of Surya Vamsa had the life span of only 9 years
initially but was later blessed by Lord Srinivasa for a long life, like Markandeya.
He visited the temple, bathed in the Swetha pushkarani, started doing Mrutyunjaya
Japam under vilva tree and got blessed.
Avathara Sthalam of Kumudhavalli, Consort of Thirumangai
Azhwar:
This is
the avatharastlam (birth place) of Sri Kumudha Valli Nachiyar, the one who was
instrumental in converting the King Thirumangai to Thirumangai Azhwar.
Thirumangai Azhwar married Kumudhavalli in this Sthalam:
Thiru Mangai
Mannan wanted to marry Kumudha Valli who belonged to the generation of the
Devas. Mangai Mannan is said to have worked with utmost sincerity towards
fulfilling each of Kumuda Valli’s conditions to marry him. It is believed that
Mangai Mannan finally married Kumudhavalli at this place. Hence, there is a
separate Sannidhi for Kumudha Valli at this temple.
Thirumangai Azhwar addressing Vishnu as Anna:
Thirumangai
Azhvaar came here, had darshan of the Lord and praised him here as if he has
seen Lord Srinivasa himself. His Paasurams also reflect the fact that the Lord
is the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa. Looked at as the elder brother of
Tirupathi Srinivasa, it is believed that those who cannot go to Tirupathi can
come here and ‘Annan’ is said to fulfill their wishes.
Lord
here is seen together with the Goddess (Alar Mel Mangai) unlike in Tirupathi
where he is seen alone. This is the only Divya Desam where the Perumal and
Thaayar have the same names as in Tirupathi. All the offering in due to the Thiruvenkatamudayam
of Tirupathi can be offered here too. It is also noteworthy that Saint
Tirumangai Azhwar addressed only two Perumals as Anna in his hymns, Lord of
Tirupathi and this Perumal.
Vishnu darshan to Manavala Mamunigal:
Lord
Vishnu granted darshan to great scholar and Acharya Sri Manavala Mamunigal in
this temple.
