Saturday, October 24, 2020

Gopinatha Perumal Temple, Patteeswaram – Legends

Gopinatha Perumal Temple, Patteeswaram – Legends

Sahasrathala Pankajam:

Once, the place where the temple is located had a beautiful tank surrounded by banana trees. The tank is unique and sacred since Sahasrathala Pankajam (a water Lilly with one thousand petals) bloom here every day spreading its fragrance everywhere. Bheema was in search of this flower on the request of his wife Draupadi. Finally, he found the locating by tracing its fragrance. Bhima saw a monkey sitting on the banks of tank and its long tail blocking the way to tank.

The monkey was none other than Lord Anjaneya meditating Rama Nama at the banks of the tank. He ordered the monkey to give way to him. Anjaneya disliked the arrogant way of Bhima asking and decided to teach him a lesson. So, Anjaneya informed Bhima that he is too old to lift his tail and hence requested Bhima to help himself by putting the tail out of the way.

Bhima thought it was easier job to lift old monkey’s tail. Bhima tried and to his utter dismay, he could not able to lift it. He had put all his energy to lift the tail and failed miserably. Finally, Bhima realized the monkey is none other than Lord Anjaneya. He worshipped him and sought pardon for his mistake. Anjaneya provided him his Vishwaroopa darshan and offered the Sahasrathala Pankajam to Bhima.

Lord appeared as Krishna to Arjuna and as Rama to Hanuman:

This is a unique place where Lord appeared as Sri Krishna to Arjuna and as Sri Rama to Hanuman.