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.