Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Lord Brahmma the creator grew proud of his boon of longevity spanning many Yugas. Lord Vishnu decided to teach him a lesson. Sage Romesa performed penance here for the darshan of Lord Vamana Trivikrama form scaling the whole world with one foot up. Granting his wish, lord told the Sage that he would live longer than Brahmma whose longevity would be reduced by a year if and when one hair fell from his body. Brahmma understood that lord has indirectly taught him a lesson and shed his pride. Thus lord graced this place with his Trivikrama form. This is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu in his Vaamana Avatara measured his first step. At this Divya Desam, only the left foot of the lord can be seen every day. The right foot is displayed only once a year on the Vaikunta Ekadesi day. Once the temple was left without proper care, hence an old woman kept the procession deity Thadalan inside the Thavittu (husk) pot. She performed poojas and was worshipping him. After visiting Thiru Chitra Koodam (Chidambaram),Thirumangai Mannan was on his way to Sirkazhi. All the way his subjects sang praise of him uttering different names of Mangai Mannan. The praise of Thirumangai Mannan by his subjects angered the disciples of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They blocked Thirumangai Mannan and asked his followers not to shout praises of Thiru Mangai Mannan in this birthplace of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They wanted Thirumangai Mannan to engage with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar in a debate and win over him before continuing with their praise of Thirumangai Mannan. In the dream of Alwar, lord appeared and told him that to get Thadalan from the old woman, pray to him and after that go for the debate. In the first meeting between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Vaishnavite poet answered fluently each of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar’s questions and let out 10 verses of praise in the name of Vishnu. Pleased and impressed with Mangai Mannan’s knowledge and the sweetness in his praise and description of the different forms of Vishnu, a spell bound Thiru Gnana Sambandhar acknowledged the greatness of Thirumangai and crowned him as ‘Mangai Azhvaar’. Sambandar was very happy and rewarded Alwar with his Vel which is given by Goddess Parvathi and also an anklet. Both of them hugged each other and bore good bye in a sad mood and paved way to the unity of Saivam and Vaishnavam.