Oppiliappan Srinivasan in a standing posture facing east. The Goddess is Bhoomidevi, also known by the names Vasundara, Dharini devi and Bhoodev or Bhoomi Nachiyar.She is seen ina "Mandi ittu vanangum kolam" semi sitting posture.She is facing North. opposite her is the idol of Markandeya Rishi in a sitting posture facing south. His posture is like that of a Father gifting away his daughter to the would be son in law. popularly known as Kanya Danam Pose. The vimana is known as Vishnu Vimana or even Sudhananda vimana. It is believed that the God here is the brother of the Lord at Tirupati Vekatacham.
The mythological story relating to the place is found in Brahmanda purana. Brahma is said to have narrated the story to Narada and other devas.
Markandeya was performing penance in the tulasi vanam at the site of the present temple. to the south of this are were running three rivers Dakshina Ganga, Dakshina godavari and dakshina Yamuna. one day he found a small baby girl in the Tulasi vanam. the child was lovely, the rishi took her home and named her Bhoomi devi In course of time she grew up to be a beautiful girl the father Markandeya wished that she should marry Lord Narayana himself. One day in the month of Panguni, on Ekadesi day when the Tiruvona star was in the ascendent an old Brahmin wearing torn clothes, holding a stick in one hand to balance himself while walking, and a kamandalam in the other hand appeared before the rishi. The rishi wanted to feed the poor Brahmin treat him as an honoured guest and let him go his way. The rishi washed the feet of the old brahmin and asked him if he could help him in any way. The old man then said I do not have any son or wife to look after me. I do not have any relatives in this world.I am alone I have therefore desired to get married. I heard that you have a beautiful daughter. I request you to give her in marriage to me so that i could be happy and perform poojas for a place in heaven. I beg you to give me your daughter in marriage.
The rishi was astounded to hear this, he did not wish to hurt the guest, at the same time he could not yield to the request, so he tried to dissuade the old man from entertaining thoughts of marriage. the old brahmin was adamant he caught hold of the rishis legs and said the whole world and the future of everything depended upon his consent. the rishi then tried tricking the beggar by saying his daughter was very small and she was not a good cook too and often forgot to even put salt in the food cooked, and requested the brahmin to look elsewhere for a bride who could give him tasty food. and a fit companion in old age. The Old beggar threatened that he would give up his life then and there if the Rishi did not consent. the agitated rishi closed his eyes and started deep meditation and prayed to Lord Narayana to find a wayout.When he opened his eyes in the place of the old brahmin he saw Lord Narayana Himself, as a young lad wearing shanka and chakra and he was wearing a crown studded with precious stones. He saw his life's dream coming true. One can only imagine the happiness of Markandeya rishi. he always wished that the Lord be his son in law. what wish and what love for his daughter. one of the Lords hand was stretched out in a posture as to receive the hand of his would be bride. The rishi was lost in happiness. He praised the Lord for having fulfilled his one and only desire to have the Lord as his Son in Law. the Lord smiled and told him that he was impressed with his unshakable faith that the Rishi had in him, He also said hence forth even as the rishi had predicted his would be wife need not add salt for any of the preparations that she makes. and he would relish such food at that place.It is said the prasadam eaten inside the temple without salt is very tastyand one does not feel the need for any salt. but if eaten outside the temple you will miss salt in the dish.The Rishi asked God to stay on and bless all the people visiting this punya kshetram also that the place be know by his name and to grant him Moksha. The place came to be known as Thiru Vinnagaram, the marriage took place in the month of oct - nov when the Tiruvonam star was at the ascendent. the temple was built by Visvakarma the divine architect and the place was also known as Aakaasha Nagar.
Two Brahmotsavams are celebrated it this temple.The temple tank is also special and people can have a dip in it even in the evening/ night an interesting story of the descendent of Bhardwaja rishi is connected with this.The Pushkarini is called Agorathra Pushkarini. there is no separate sannidhi for the Thayar in this temple. The Utsavar is always accompanied by the thayar in all his processions outside the sannidhi.
Nammalwar says this lord excels in bringing harmony and unity between things that cannot apparently be united. The Lord appeared before Nammalwar in five forms. The Moolavar is called Thiru Vinnagarappan, the Utsavar is known as Ponnappan, the Bhoga murthy is known as Muthappan. the other two are known as ennappan and Maniappan and they are separate shrines within the temple. Nammalwar felt the lord is very unique and charming unequalled and called him "Than oppar il Appan" now corrupted to Oppiliappan. but that too sounds so melodious to the ear.
The mythological story relating to the place is found in Brahmanda purana. Brahma is said to have narrated the story to Narada and other devas.
Markandeya was performing penance in the tulasi vanam at the site of the present temple. to the south of this are were running three rivers Dakshina Ganga, Dakshina godavari and dakshina Yamuna. one day he found a small baby girl in the Tulasi vanam. the child was lovely, the rishi took her home and named her Bhoomi devi In course of time she grew up to be a beautiful girl the father Markandeya wished that she should marry Lord Narayana himself. One day in the month of Panguni, on Ekadesi day when the Tiruvona star was in the ascendent an old Brahmin wearing torn clothes, holding a stick in one hand to balance himself while walking, and a kamandalam in the other hand appeared before the rishi. The rishi wanted to feed the poor Brahmin treat him as an honoured guest and let him go his way. The rishi washed the feet of the old brahmin and asked him if he could help him in any way. The old man then said I do not have any son or wife to look after me. I do not have any relatives in this world.I am alone I have therefore desired to get married. I heard that you have a beautiful daughter. I request you to give her in marriage to me so that i could be happy and perform poojas for a place in heaven. I beg you to give me your daughter in marriage.
The rishi was astounded to hear this, he did not wish to hurt the guest, at the same time he could not yield to the request, so he tried to dissuade the old man from entertaining thoughts of marriage. the old brahmin was adamant he caught hold of the rishis legs and said the whole world and the future of everything depended upon his consent. the rishi then tried tricking the beggar by saying his daughter was very small and she was not a good cook too and often forgot to even put salt in the food cooked, and requested the brahmin to look elsewhere for a bride who could give him tasty food. and a fit companion in old age. The Old beggar threatened that he would give up his life then and there if the Rishi did not consent. the agitated rishi closed his eyes and started deep meditation and prayed to Lord Narayana to find a wayout.When he opened his eyes in the place of the old brahmin he saw Lord Narayana Himself, as a young lad wearing shanka and chakra and he was wearing a crown studded with precious stones. He saw his life's dream coming true. One can only imagine the happiness of Markandeya rishi. he always wished that the Lord be his son in law. what wish and what love for his daughter. one of the Lords hand was stretched out in a posture as to receive the hand of his would be bride. The rishi was lost in happiness. He praised the Lord for having fulfilled his one and only desire to have the Lord as his Son in Law. the Lord smiled and told him that he was impressed with his unshakable faith that the Rishi had in him, He also said hence forth even as the rishi had predicted his would be wife need not add salt for any of the preparations that she makes. and he would relish such food at that place.It is said the prasadam eaten inside the temple without salt is very tastyand one does not feel the need for any salt. but if eaten outside the temple you will miss salt in the dish.The Rishi asked God to stay on and bless all the people visiting this punya kshetram also that the place be know by his name and to grant him Moksha. The place came to be known as Thiru Vinnagaram, the marriage took place in the month of oct - nov when the Tiruvonam star was at the ascendent. the temple was built by Visvakarma the divine architect and the place was also known as Aakaasha Nagar.
Two Brahmotsavams are celebrated it this temple.The temple tank is also special and people can have a dip in it even in the evening/ night an interesting story of the descendent of Bhardwaja rishi is connected with this.The Pushkarini is called Agorathra Pushkarini. there is no separate sannidhi for the Thayar in this temple. The Utsavar is always accompanied by the thayar in all his processions outside the sannidhi.
Nammalwar says this lord excels in bringing harmony and unity between things that cannot apparently be united. The Lord appeared before Nammalwar in five forms. The Moolavar is called Thiru Vinnagarappan, the Utsavar is known as Ponnappan, the Bhoga murthy is known as Muthappan. the other two are known as ennappan and Maniappan and they are separate shrines within the temple. Nammalwar felt the lord is very unique and charming unequalled and called him "Than oppar il Appan" now corrupted to Oppiliappan. but that too sounds so melodious to the ear.
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