Kalamega Perumal Temple, Thirumohoor – Legends
Lord Vishnu slaying of Bhasmasura:
As per
Hindu legend, once a demon by name Bhasmasura did penance. Shiva granted him a
boon that when he touches anyone's head, the person would turn to ashes.
Bhasmasura wanted to test the boon and wanted to touch the head of Shiva. A
bewildered Shiva ran to seek the favour of Vishnu, who took the form of damsel Mohini. She lured Bhasmasura with her dance and made
Bhasmasura touch his head with his hand. The demon Bhasmasura was thus
defeated. The place where Mohini lured (meaning Moham) came to be known as
Thirumohur.
Thirumohur:
According
to another legend, there was a fight between the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) during the churning of the Ocean
of Milk for Amrita (ambrosia).
Asuras were able to overpower Devas and the Devas sought Vishnu's help. Vishnu
appeared as Mohini to lure the asuras and gave them empty pot. The word ‘Moham’
in Sanskrit means attraction or desire. As Vishnu took the Mohini form, this
place became Thirumohanavur that later was shortened to Thirumohur.
Place for salvation:
The
great Vaishnavite saint Nammalwar prayed to all Perumals in the 108 Divyadesas,
but Kalamega Perumal of this temple only took the Alwar to
salvation. Hence, once a devotee prays to Kalamega Perumal in this
temple, his /her seat in the other world – Vaikunta – is ensued.
Other
Names:
It is also known as Mohanapuram and Mohanakshetram.
Thirupaarkadal:
As the
legend goes, when the devas were churning the ocean for Amruta, a drop of that Amruta
is believed to have fallen into this temple tank and the lord appeared to the
south of this tank. Hence it is also known as Periya Thirupaarkadal and Siriya Thirupaarkadal.
People worshipped Lord Vishnu here:
Sage
Pulasthya, Brahmma, Indiran and Ajaruthar are said to have had darshan of the
lord here.
Birth of Ayyapan:
Lord
Shiva too got attracted towards the beauty of Mohini and as a result of this
only, Lord Ayyappan was born from the third eye of Lord Shiva.
Mohana Kshetram:
In
centuries gone by, this place was identified as being 1 Yojana from Thirumaliruncholai
and South of the Elephant rock. The huge Ashta Giri can be seen even today. It
is worth stopping on the highway (Madurai-Madras route) to see this elephant
shaped rock that runs quite a distance.
Kalamega Perumal:
Lord
Vishnu helped recover the Vedic Scriptures from two Asuras - Madhu and Kaidapan
who had stolen it from Brahmma. It was at this place that Brahmma performed
daily poojas, directed at Lord Vishnu, as a gesture to thank the Lord for
fighting the Asuras and securing back the Vedic Scriptures. It is said that
Brahmma wanted to see the Lord as ‘Narayana’ and not in his Mohini form. Hence,
it is said that Lord Vishnu appeared before Brahmma at this place as Kalamega
Perumal.
Marga Bandhu:
Kalamega
Perumal is said to be a close friend of the devotees and is said to be one who
provides direction and guides the devotees who come to him for Moksham. Hence,
he is also referred to as ‘Maarga Bandhu’.
Thirupaarkadal Nathan:
Wanting
to see the Lord churning the ocean to secure the nectar, Sage Pulasthiyar
undertook penance here. Pleased with his prayers, Lord appeared before him and
gave him darshan. Hence there is a separate sannidhi for the Lord as
‘Thirupaarkadal Nathan’.