Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur – Legends
Thirunindravur:
Once,
Mother Mahalakshmi (Tiru) left Perumal due to some reasons, came and stood
(Nindra) here, hence, the place came to be known as Tiru Nindra Oor
(place). Her father Samudra Rajan (as Mahalakshmi was born in the
milk ocean, the king of oceans-Samudra Rajan is her father) came to her, cooled
her anger and asked her to go back to her Lord Perumal, she refused. The
king of oceans went to Perumal and begged him to come and take back his
daughter Mahalakshmi. Lord asked him to go before him and assured to
follow him.
Samudra
Raja told Mahalakshmi that he was not her father but she was his “Ennai Petra
Thayar” ‘You who gave me birth’ and requested her to come back to Vaikunta and
rule the world. Perumal too joined the compromise, Sri Mahalakshmi
went back with Perumal. As Lord responded to the prayer of Bhakta (devotee)
Samudra Rajan, He is called Bhaktavatsalan. As Samudra Rajan said
“Ennai Petra Thayar” that came to stay as the name of Mother of the
temple. Also, as prayed by Samudra Raja, they are gracing together
in the Wedding Form.
Tirumangai Azhwar Paasurams:
Saint
Tirumangai Azhwar was passing through many sacred Vaishnava shrines including Thiruninravur
but did not sing on this temple. Noticing that Azhwar bypassed this
temple, Mother asked Lord to get a hymn from the Azhwar. By the time
Lord reached Azhwar, he was in Mamallapuram. Lord demanded a song
Azhwar from this place. Excited by the simplicity and grace of the
Lord, Azhwar sang meaning as follows: “My Lord, protecting the whole universe,
came to me to make known his love for the Bhaktas at this sacred
Mamallapuram.
He
demanded and took a song from me.” Mother Mahalakshmi was not satisfied with
one song. She asked the Lord to go back to Azhwar for the remaining
9 songs as he used to sing 10 for all temples. Azhwar has already
left Mamallapuram and had reached Thirukkannamangai. He saw Lord
with a side look waiting for him and in the Pathigam (10 songs) on Thirukkannamangai
Perumal, Azhwar included Thiruninravur Perumal also in the hymns.
Lakshmi Pooja:
As the
name suggests, this is the temple for wealth, prosperity and all the wealth in
the world. There is a nine-squared matrix drawn in front of the Ennai Petra
Thaayar Sannathi as shown in the picture, which has specific numbers. By
replicating this matrix in your pooja room and placing one-rupee coins (or any
coins such as quarters if you are out of India) on each of the squares, and
praying for nine days, it is proven that one's prayers and wishes are granted. The
pooja can be performed by drawing the Yantra in the pooja room on a flat
surface using white Kolam powder or with the card that is sold in the temple.
Pooja should
be done for nine days by placing one-rupee coins (any coins of same
denominations) in each of the boxes, applying sandal paste, kumkum and flowers
on the matrix and reciting the Lakshmi Ashtothra. The coins of the previous day
are then removed and stored safely and new set of coins are used the next day.
After completing nine days of pooja the 81 coins along with thambulam for nine
sumangalis are taken to the temple.
The
temple priest places the coins at the Thayar’s feet and performs archana. The
first Thambulam is then offered to the Goddess. After that, he gives the coins
back to the devotee who then deposits the coins in the Hundi outside the
shrine. The remaining thambulams are given to other women in the temple. It is preferable
to start the pooja on Friday. If the Friday happens to be a full moon day, it
is even more auspicious.
Lord Vishnu darshan to Varuna:
It is
also said that the Perumal here is always giving dharshan to Lord Varuna.
Pallava King built this temple on Lord’s instruction:
Later
days, with the divine instruction of the Lord, a Pallava King had constructed
this temple and arranged for Brahmotsavam etc.
Kubera regained his Lost Wealth:
Kubera,
the richest god, once lost his wealth and offered prayers to Goddess Ennai
Petra Thayar or Sudhavalli and regained his lost wealth. Hence Thiruninravur Bhaktavatsala
Temple is also called Sukra Kshetram (holy place of Venus, planet of good
fortune) and Kubera Puram.
Dharamadvajan regained his Lost Wealth:
Another
legend says that King Dharamadvajan, a descendent of the Surya clan, prayed
here in Panguni (March-April) and regained his lost wealth.