Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram (Vaikunta Nathan Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends

Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram (Vaikunta Nathan Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends
Vishnu appearing in eleven forms on Shiva request:
The legends of all the eleven temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. As per legend, the Hindu god Shiva started dancing in fury at this place after the death of his consort Uma due to the yagna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Each time his lock of hair touched the ground; there were eleven other forms of Shiva who appeared. The celestial deities were worried that if the dance continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. They prayed to Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place.
On seeing Vishnu, Shiva's anger was reduced and he requested Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. On his request, Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur. Arimeya Vinnagaram literally translates to the place where Hari (another name of Vishnu) resides.
The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. They are;
Thirukavalampadi
Gopalakrishnan along with Rukmini and Satyabama.
Thiruvannpurushothamam
Purushothaman along with Purushothama Naayaki.
Thiru Sempon Sei Kovil
Perarulalan along with Allimaamalar Naachiyar.
Thiru Devanar Thogai
Deiva Naayagan along with Kadal Magal Naachiyar.
Thiru Mani Koodam
Varadharaja Perumal along with Thirumagal Naachiyar and Bhoomi Piratti.
Thiru Paarthanpalli
Thamarai Kelvan along with Thamarai Naayaki, in standing posture in all the above Kshetrams.
Thirumanimaada Kovil
Narayana Gyana Nandha Vilaku along with Pundarigavalli.
Thiruvaali Thirunagari
Amrudhavalli Vedharajan, Narashimar along with Amrudha Kada valli.
Thiru Vaigunda Vinnagaram
Vaigunda Nadhan along with Periya Piratti.
Arimeya Vinnagaram
Kudamaadu Koothan along with Amrudha Kada valli, in sitting posture in above 4 Kshetrams.
Thirutheythri Ambalam
Shenkann Maal along with Sengamalavalli, in sleeping posture of the type Bhujanga Sayanam.
People who worshipped Vishnu here:
Udhanga Maharishi and King Uparisaravasu got the Dharsan of the Lord as he is in Vaigunda Loga. The pious Viraja River which is considered to run across the border of Vaikunda Loga is the theertham here.
Swetakethu had Darshan of Vishnu here:
King Swetakethu belonged to Ikshvaku dynasty which Lord Sri Rama chose for his incarnation. He loved every one and was a living example of honesty and integrity. He and his wife had a passion to visit Vaikunda to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu. As a king, he completed all his political duties and set ready for penance with his queen Damayanthi. They prepared fire around them, stood looking at the Sun and began a severe penance. Days passed. They shed their mortal coil and reached Vaikundam but could not find their Vaikunda Vasan. They stood sad. Maharshi came there. 
Swetakethu and Damayanthi fell at his feet and enquired him why they could not get the darshan of Lord.  Narada replied that though they performed severe penance but failed to perform even small Homas and charities. That failure was the cause of this failure. The remedy was that they had to worship Lord Iravadeswarar on the banks of Cauvery on Earth and appeal to him, who would help them to have Vaikunda darshan. Both prayed to Lord Iravadeswarar and begged his help for Perumal darshan. 
Lord Iravadeswarar appeared before them and said that he too was waiting for Perumal darshan and suggested that they could join him in penance. Meantime, Sage Udhanga Maharshi also joined the in the penance. Thus four performed penance together. When Vishnu appeared before them with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Lord Iravadeswarar prayed that the place where the darshan was granted should be honoured as Vaikunda Vinnagaram and that he should be worshipped as Vaikunda Nathar. Thus, Perumal came here as Lord Vaikunda Vasan to this place with Mother praised as Vaikundavalli.