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Monday, March 23, 2020

Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram Temple, Nathan Kovil – Legends

Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram Temple, Nathan Kovil – Legends
As per Hindu legend, Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, wanted to meet Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntha and entered without securing the permission of the security guards (Dwarapalakas) of Vishnu. They cursed Nandi that his body would suffer oppressive heat. Nandi informed it to his lord Shiva, who advised him to do penance in Shenbakaranyam, a forest near modern-day Kumbakonam. Lord Vishnu was impressed by the penance of Nandi and got his curse relieved. Hence the place is called Nandipuram. An image of Nandi can be seen on one of the walls of the temple. All the shrines and water bodies associated with the temple are named after Nandi.
Goddess Lakshmi penance to get her place in Lord Vishnu chest:
Goddess Lakshmi wanted to reside in the heart of Lord Vishnu. She undertook a penance at Shenbagaranyam facing east. It is said that the Lord appeared before her (facing west) and accepted her wishes. Devotees worship Shenbagavalli of the temple during the Tamil month of Aipasi and believe that their wishes will be fulfilled. As Mother performed penance in Shenbagaranya region, She is praised as Shenbagavalli
Lord Vishnu turned west to see King Sibi offering of his own flesh:
As per legend, Emperor Sibi was a great donor. Once, Lord Indra took a form of a hunter and Lord Agni transformed himself as a pigeon. The pigeon sought Sibi’s help and to help the poor bird, he came forward to give his own flesh equal to the pigeon’s weight to the hunter. So, he sat in the west plate of the balance while the pigeon in the east. Lord Vishnu, originally faced the east, turned westward to look at King Sibi saving a bird by providing flesh from his thighs and blessed the King with his darshan.
Shenbagaranyam:
This place was once a forest of Shenbagam flowers and hence is known as Shenbagaranyam, meaning forest of Shenbagam.
Dakshina Jagannatham:
As this temple resembles the Puri Jagannatha temple, it is also known as Dakshina Jagannatham.