Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Photo courtesy:subhavaastu.com
Thiruvinnagar
Sri Oppiliappan Perumal Temple is one of 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu
located in Thirunageswaram which is 7km south of Kumbakonam in the district of
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. This temple is
also known as Markandeya Kshetram/ Tulasivanam.
Presiding
deity – Moolavar Oppiliappan with his consort Bhoomidevi Nachiyar. In this temple Sri Oppiliappan worshipped in
his five forms as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Muthappan, Vinnagarappan and Ennappan.
Mangalasasanam
– Peyalwar, Nammalwar, Thirumangai Alwar
Vimanam
– Vishnu Vimanam, Sudhha Vimanam, Ananda Vimanam, Sudhha Satwa Vimanam
Pushkarani
– Ahoratra Pushkarani, Saranga Pushkarani, Aarthi Pushkarani, Surya Theertham,
Indra Theertham. Holy dip in Ahoratra Pushkarani
is capable to eradicate all the sins.
Prathyaksham
to – Sage Markandeya, Garudalwar, River Cauvery, Lord Yama, Nammalvar
Worshipped
by – Goddess Tulsi, Sage Markandeya, Deva Sharma who was born in the clan of
Sage Bharadhwaja
Festivals
– Panguni Brahmostavam, Aippasi Kalyanostavam, Garudasevai, Sri Ramanavami, Float
festival, Sravana festival,
Sthalavruksham
– Tulsi
Sannidhis
– Sri Desikan, Alwars, Lord Rama & Lakshman, Lord Anjaneya, Sri Ramanuja,
Sri Maniappan, Sri Ennappan, Garudalwar,
Lord Krishna,
In
Brahmandapuram Lord Brahma describes the grandeur of Markandeya Kshetram
located in Thiruvinnagar to Maharishi Narada.
The
legend has that while churning the milky ocean for the elixir of immortality by
the deities and demons many precious things were emerged from the ocean
including Halahala poison that was gracefully accepted by Lord Shiva. The precious things came into sight were
equally divided amongst the deities. Sri
Mahalakshmi was adorned by Lord Vishnu on his chest, seeing this sacred Tulsi
prayed to Lord Vishnu to embellish her as well.
Lord Vishnu affirmed that Sri Mahalaskhmi underwent severe austerities to
attain her place on his chest and instructed Tulsi to undertake strict
austerities in this sacred land in order to attain a prime position in his
heart. Sri Tulsi appeared in this holy land
near the hermitage of Sage Markandeya on the river banks of Cauvery at the
divine instruction of Lord and she was blessed with the status equivalent to
Sri Mahalakshmi. Lord Vishnu pronounced that
whoever worships him with the Tulsi leaves would attain prosperity all through
their life; the worshipper would yield the merits of ‘Ashwamedha Yaga’ and
remain in the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana.
Hence this place has got its name ‘Tulsi Vanam’.
In the
meantime, Sage Markandeya arrived on this sacred land and found enormous bliss
at the peace and tranquility of this place.
He underwent severe austerities praying to Lord Vishnu to attain Sri
Mahalakshmi as his daughter. Lord was
pleased at the devotion of the Sage Markandeya, Sri Mahalakshmi was born in
this sacred land Tulsivanam at the will of Lord. Sage Markandeya found this beautiful baby
girl in the middle of the Tulsi shrubs; he affectionately carried in her in his
arms and named her ‘Bhoodevi’ as she was originated on the very Earth. He brought up this stunning baby girl with so
much of love and fondness. Years passed
by, the beautiful girl child grown into a gorgeous young maiden. Sage Markandeya was anxiously in search for a
suitable bride groom for his loveliest daughter. On the day of Sravan, an old man in his
worn-out clothes and holding a walking stick with a weary look appeared before
the Sage. Sage Markandeya received his
guest with due honor and respect, washed his feet and reverently enquired his
purpose of visit. The old man informed
Sage Markandeya about his purpose of visit was asking his daughter - Sri Boodevi’s
hands to marry.
Sage
Markandeya was alarmed at the request of his guest. He despondently informed about the tender age
of his daughter, furthermore she was too young to marry an old man. He diffidently tried to convince the old man
about the difference of their age. Sage
Markandeya also explained his daughter’s inability to cook and serve him with the
right food or she was too young to take care of an old man as her husband. The old man cleverly answered that he was genuinely
ready to accept whatever the meal was served as the most desired even though there
where no salt content in it.
Sage
Markandeya tried all means to discourage the old man from his very idea of
marrying his daughter, but he was too adamant to heed his words. Sage
Markandeya was in a dilemma, sincerely prayed to Lord Sriman Narayana for an
appropriate solution. When Sage Markandeya
opened his eyes, he was jubilant at the enthralling sight of Lord Sriman
Narayana with Conch and wheel in front of him.
Sage Markandeya requested Lord for forgiveness for being inconsiderate
and immediately offered his daughter’s hand to him. In this temple bhog is offered to Lord without
any salt content on it as a promise made by Lord to Sage Markandeya. Moreover, no salt contents are allowed to
take inside the shrine, it is treated the most sinful deed. Thus, the deity has got his name ‘Lavana
Varjitha Venkatesa Perumal’ in this temple.
This
temple remains open from 6.00AM to 1.00PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 9.00PM
in the evenings.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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