Madhava Perumal Temple, Mylapore – Legends
Lord Vishnu married Mahalakshmi here:
Sage
Bhrigu to test Lord Vishnu’s composure kicked the Lord on his chest.
Mahalakshmi, angered by this, left the Lord. To find out a solution for
this grave mistake, Sage Bhrigu did tapasya praying to have Mahalakshmi as his
daughter. Mahalakshmi manifested as a kid in the Theertham here. Since
Lakshmi came out of the Milk Ocean that was churned to get ‘Amutham’
(nectar), the sage named her ‘Amirthavalli’ and brought her up. When she
attained marriageable age, he requested Lord Vishnu to marry her. The Lord
came here and married her and the Divine couple stayed here as requested by
sage Bhrigu. Thus, he attained the name Kalyana Perumal.
Birthplace of Peyazhwar:
The Temple
is believed to be the birthplace of Peyazhwar, one of the first three of the twelve Azhwar saints of the 6th-9th century AD. Reference to
this is found in the Brahmanda Puranam in the section relating to Mayurapuri
Mahatmiyam. The legendary Azhwar was believed to have come to earth from the
60 ft (18 m) well called Manikairavam to the south-east of the temple,
which exists to this day in Arundale Street, though in a neglected condition.
The Aalvaar has a separate sanctum in this temple. 10 days’ festival
is conducted close to Aippasi Sadayam day.
Sage Bhrigu had set up a hermitage here:
According
to Mayurapuri Mahatmiyam in the Brahmanda Puranam, when Sage Vyasa requested
the Lord to show him the holiest of places where he could do penance, he
pointed out to Madhavapuram (Mylapore) where Sage Bhrigu had earlier set up a
hermitage and did penance.
Santhaana Pushkarini:
Amirthavalli
Thaayar was born as a baby in the Pushkarini here on a Maasi Magam
day. Hence, the Pushkarini is called “Santhaana
Pushkarini”. It is believed that on the day she was born all the
sacred waters united here. Based on this a festival is conducted on
the Maasi Magam day. On that day alone, Thaayar along with the Lord
comes to the Theertha Kulam and graces us. The belief is that by taking
bath at the Theertham and worshipping Thaayar, all our sins will be assuaged
and we will be blessed.
Thirukkovilur Vaibhavam:
At Thirukkovilur
Lord Vishnu made the three Aalvaars – Poigai, Putam and Peyalvar come together
and himself revealed to them. Based on this, during the festival the Tirukoyilur
Vaibhavam when the three Aalvaars appear together and on the tenth day the
celebration of the Aalvaar visiting his birthplace, the Well are performed. In
this holy place, Thirumalisai Aalvaar as a disciple to Peyalvar had his
spiritual teachings from him. This episode is celebrated on the fourth day
of the festival.
Madhavapuram:
It is
believed that Lord Vishnu came here from his abode in Vaikuntam as Madhava
Perumal to marry Amruthavalli Thaayar. Hence, this place came to be called
Madhavapuram.
Prarthana Sthalam:
Santhana
Pushkarani, which is now found to the South of the temple was the sacred tank
of Sage Bhrigu, who lived in the ashram here. The age-old belief, as referred
to in Mayurapuri Mahatmiyam, is that couples who bathe here on the full moon
day in the Tamil calendar month of Maasi (mid Feb-mid March) and who offer
their prayers to Madhava Perumal and Amruthavalli Thaayar will be immediately
blessed with children. This is also a Prarthana Sthalam for unmarried
people. Offering prayers to Lord Madhava Perumal who is seen in Kalyana Kolam
is said to help one find his or her match immediately.
Best place for liberation from Kali Dosham:
Lord
Vishnu directed Veda Vyasa here as the best place for liberation from Kali
Dosham in this Kali Yugam.