Anjel Perumal Temple, Agaram – Legends
Dasavathara Kshetram:
There
once lived a theatre artist Mithrasaga in Agaram village who was spreading the
glory of Sriman Narayana through his Dasavathara dramas throughout the country.
He enacted one such event in Kashmir in the presence of King Kungumangadhan and
princess Chandramalini. The princess fell in love with the artist. With the
acceptance of the parents, the marriage went off in a grand manner. They had a
happy married life as a role model to others. During their old age, the couples
built a hermitage and were engaged in the service of Lord Narayana.
Pleased
with their pure life, Lord Vishnu appeared before them on a Dwadasi day (12th
day from new moon or full moon day) on Masi month (February-March) and taught
them the great "Ohm Namo Baghavate Vasudevaya" mantra. Granted the
prayers on this Dwadasi day in the Tamil calendar month of Maasi, Lord Vishnu
is believed to have provided the Dasavathara darshan, all at the same time, at
this place. Hence this place came to be known as Dasavathara Kshetram.
Tamirabarani Mahatmiyam:
Books
describing the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and his mission to establish Dharma
and righteousness are called scriptures or Puranas. Tamirabarani Mahatmiyam is
one such book describing the creation of the River by Sage Agasthya and the
holy places surrounding the river. Agaram is one such place in Thirunelveli
district where Lord Vishnu showed all his ten incarnations.
There are references to Manimahodaya Agraharam
(which in course of time became ‘Agaram’ village) and the presence of a large
number of Bhaagavathars here at this place. Hence, this was called Bhaagavatha
Kshetram. The Agaram Village was also a place for Vedic Education.
Equivalent to Ganga:
As river
Tambiraparani flows southward from north, whatever remedial efforts taken here
for any problem, has the effect of doing it at Holy Ganga in the north. The
Tamaraibarani Purana points out the significance of a bath at the Dasavathara
Theertham at this Dasavathara Kshetram. A bath here is said to be equivalent to
and bear the same fruits as a bath at the Ganges in Varanasi.
People who worshipped Vishnu here:
Lord
Hayagriva, Sages Athri, Mandavyar, Angirasar, Vasistar, Somar, Durvasa, Kabila,
Mudradevi and Agastya had worshipped the Lord in this temple.
Chandramalini got Mukthi at this place:
Chandramalini
got Mukthi at this place. Lord Vishnu is believed to taken her in his Pushpaka
Vimanam.
Parihara Sthalam:
Each Dasavathara
idol relates to a Navagraha and the belief is that one will be liberated from
all kinds of Doshams if one bathes in the Tamaraibarani Theertham here, has a
darshan of the Dasavatharam Lords and performs the relevant pariharam at this
temple (Matsya- Kethu Pariharam, Koorma- Sani Dosham, Varaha Avatharam- Rahu,
Vamana-Guru Dosham, and Krishna- Chandran).
Liberation from Parental Curse:
The
Anjel Dasavatharam Perumal is also said to be a place for liberation from Pitru
Dosham (Parental curse) and is believed to be equivalent to visiting Kasi.