Ranganathar Temple, Thiruparkadal – Legends
Vishnu on Palar River Bed:
According
to the legend, Brahma seeking the Lord's help to stop Saraswathi flowing in the
form of River Vegavathi to destroy the Yagasala where he was performing the
ritual to see the Lord. The Lord obliged him by lying across the course of the
river. Lord Vishnu lays on Adhiseshan to prevent the Saraswathi river called
'Vegavathi' at three places. One at Pallikonda (Uthara Ranganathar) near
Vellore, Then at Thiruparkadal, and finally at Kanchipuram where the temple is
called Tiruvekkaa where the deity holds the name 'Yathothkari'.
Chitragupta worshipped Lord Ranganatha here:
Once
Chitragupta, the accountant in Yama Court was depressed due to his work. He requested Lord Brahma for remedy. Lord Brahma advised him to go to Thiruparkadal and worship Lord Vishnu by performing
a Homa with fig tree sticks. When Chitragupta applied Athi Thailam on his forehead he was cured of his depression. Also, he took a vow that sins of those who worshipped Lord Ranganathar here will be reduced by him.
Satyavratham:
It is believed that King Harichandra worshipped Lord Vishnu here to strengthen
his determination of speaking truth. Hence, the place came to be called as Satyavratham.
Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam:
After
visiting Kanchi, the Saptha Rishis went to Sholinghur Divya Desam and undertook
penance there. Four of the Saptha Rishis came here to Thiruparkadal and recited
the four Vedas. Hence, this place was referred to as Narayana Chaturvedi
Mangalam.
Thiruparkadal:
Visiting
these two temples (Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple & Ranganatha Perumal
Temple) is said to bear fruits equivalent to visiting the 107th Divya Desam
(Thiruparkadal) which one cannot visit in this Bhoo Logam.
