Infinite Divya Desams: December 2021

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu blessed Markandeya rishi and Uparisaravasar at this shetram. According to the sthala purna, the Pandyan king Uparisaravasar while hunting a rogue elephant by mistake killed a Brahmin performing tapas on the banks of the river. Repenting for his act, the king renounced his throne and wandered around, finally reaching Tirupper Nagar.

One day Lord Siva appeared before the king and asked him to worship Lord Vishnu at this shetram to get rid of the Brahmahati dosham.

There upon the king built a temple for Lord Vishnu and each day after worship offered food together with appam, and payasam, to the Brahmins who came to his house. One day Lord Vishnu came to the king's house disguised as a poor Brahmin and informed that he is tired and hungry and needed food. The king requested the Brahmin to wait till the other Brahmins also assembled. But He conveyed to the king that He is too hungry and cannot wait. There upon, the king agreed to serve Him food. But to the surprise of the king the Brahmin ate all the food, and wanted some more. The king requested Him to take rest and went in to cook some more. At that time Markandeya rishi, who was informed by Siva to seek refuge in Lord Vishnu for longevity of life, was directed to the King"s place to worship Lord Vishnu taking rest as an old Brahmin. Accordingly the rishi went to the king's house where he saw the old Brahmin lying on the couch holding an appa kudam in one hand. Markandeya approached the Brahmin and bowed 100 times. Lord Vishnu regaining His original form lifted his hand from the appa kudam and blessed Markandeya with longevity of life. He also blessed the king to get rid of the dosham. We find the moolavar in the reclining posture in the temple holding appakudam and blessing Markandeya. Since Markandeya got his longevity of life the tank in this shetram is called Mruthyu vinasini Theertham. Appam is offered in this temple to the Lord, every night.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Appakkudathaan

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tirupper+nagar

https://www.google.com/search?q=Koviladi

Nachiyar

Nachiyar Koil is one of the few divyadesams where the goddess has prominence over Vishnu. Some of the other temples where such female dominance is observed are Andal Temple at Srivilliputhur, Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple at Woraiyur and Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple in Thiruvellarai. While Srivilliputhur is called Nachiyar Thiru Maaligai, Thirunaraiyur is called Nachiyar Koil.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Nachiyar+divya+desams

https://www.google.com/search?q=Pundarikakshan

https://www.google.com/search?q=Thiruvellarai

https://www.google.com/search?q=shibi+varaha

https://www.google.com/search?q=3700+Vaishnavites

https://www.google.com/search?q=Swastik+divya+desam

Vishnu was of the view that during Kali Yuga, men would have to listen to women. Hence he decided that he would first set an example and listen to the goddess here. During all festive occasions, the first rights are reserved for Nachiyar, who moves ahead, while Srinivasa follows her. Even the food is first served to Nachiyar and then to Srinivasa. Being a temple where goddess has prominence, Vishnu is located slightly by the side and goddess has the prominent position inside the sanctum.

http://8div.blogspot.com/search/label/PanchaSamskara