Neelamegha Perumal Temple, Thirukannapuram – Food
Offerings
Muna
Yodhran Pongal is a traditional food offered to the deity every night during
the last Pooja. There are two legends associated with it. As per one
of them, a devotee by name Munayodharan offered the dish made of rice, lentil
and ghee to Vishnu every day in the temple. During one night, he could not
offer and he felt for it. Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared to
him in his house during the night. Bells were ringing, lights were glowing and
a path was defined from his house to the temple where smell of his offering was
appearing all the way.
As per
another legend, Muniyodharan Pillai, a Chola feudatory was bestowed with the responsibility of
collecting taxes in the region. He was a great devotee of Vishnu and stayed in Thirukannapuram.
During the torrential flood, he spent the entire amount collected for the
welfare of the people. The king was displeased and he arrested Muniyodharan.
Viraghadibhogam was a maiden that had Muniyodharan in high esteem and she
pleaded with god Vishnu. Vishnu appeared in the dreams of the king and ordered
him to release Muniyodharan. It is believed Viraghadibhogam offered Pongal to
Vishnu and hence it came to be known as Muniyodharan Pongal.