Kamala Varadaraja Perumal
Temple, Arasar Koil – Legends
Kamala
Varadaraja Perumal:
As per legend, Lord Brahma sought the advice of several
sages for relief from a curse. They informed him that his curse would be
relieved where Lord Vishnu, ruler of the heavenly world and a king ruling over
the earth appear together in earth for your worship. As per their advice, Lord
Brahma came to earth searching for the place where his curse would be relieved.
Lord Vishnu already decided to provide relief to Lord Brahma at this
place and appeared in this
place.
Meanwhile, King Janaka Maharaja, who was on pilgrimage
all over the world, was passing through this
place. He heard about the presence of Lord
Vishnu and came to this
place for darshan. Brahma heard the news of Lord Vishnu and Janaka together
at this
place and not wanting to miss the opportunity, rushed to this
place and worshipped Lord Vishnu & King Janaka and got relief from his
curse.
As Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu, ruler of the
heavenly world and King Janaka, ruling over the earth, the
place came to be called as Arasar
Koil (King’s Temple). It is also said that this
temple was the first time constructed by King Janaka. Janaka decided to
stay in this place for some time for worshipping Lord Vishnu. During his stay,
he used to visit the
temple daily for worship.
One day, Janaka didn’t visit the
temple due to his official duty. Lord Vishnu himself went to the residence
of Janaka. Lord Vishnu found Janaka was not at residence. Lord Vishnu went and sat
on the throne of Janaka and performed the poojas as Janaka did to himself. Lord
Vishnu informed the guards that the poojas which need to be performed today by
Janaka had been completed. After a while, Janaka returned and astonished to
hear that Lord Vishnu himself did the poojas in place of him.
Mother Lakshmi was upset over Lord Vishnu behaviour of
visiting the residence of Janaka. Lord Vishnu pacified her and informed that
the first right would be given to her in this
temple. Pleased with Lord Vishnu assurance, Mother Lakshmi requested him to
appear with lotus (Lotus represents Lakshmi) in his hand at this
place. Lord Vishnu accepted and appeared as per her wish. Hence, Lord
Vishnu came to be called as Kamala Varadaraja Perumal.
Older
than Varadaraja Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram:
As per legend, Lord Brahma was in the process of
collecting sand from Palar river at this place to make the sacrificial altar at
Kanchipuram. He unearthed the idols of Kamala Varadaraja Perumal and his
consorts Sridevi & Bhudevi during the process and installed these idols in this
temple and worshipped them. Hence, this
temple is considered as older than Varadaraja
Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram.
Navagrahas
worshipped Sundara Maha Lakshmi here:
It is believed that each of the nine Navagrahas along with
their consorts worshiped Mother Sundara Maha Lakshmi at this
temple in nine different Lakshmi forms.
Kubera
worshipped Sundara Maha Lakshmi here:
As per legend, Lord Kubera got back his lost wealth by
praying to Sundara Maha Lakshmi here.
Aadhi Lakshmi
Thayar:
It is believed that she is considered as the earliest
Thayar formed in the world. Hence, she came to be called as Aadhi Lakshmi
Thayar.