DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Pandiya Naadu |
Pandiya Naadu | 18thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Thirumeyyam/Sathyakshetram/Venuvanam
/Adi Rangam is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Madurai,
Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Vishnu built by King
Mahendra Pallava with a close resemblance to Rock temple of Mamallapuram. This
temple is positioned at a tranquil atmosphere of Vaishnavi Durgai hills.
Located on the Pudukottai-Karaikudi/Tirupattur highway, Thirumeyyam is also
called Sathiya Giri and Sathiya Kshetram and is surrounded by a huge fort like
structure. This temple dates back to the 7th Century AD. The Lord here is
bigger than Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. On the wall just above the deity one
finds images of Brahmma and several Devas.
Adiseshan
is believed to be protecting this place. The story goes that when the Asuras
tried to kidnap the Lord, Adiseshan let open poisonous air to kill the asuras.
As a reference to this incident, one can see Adiseshan being depicted in the
same form here at this temple - letting out poisonous air - a unique feature at
this Divya Desam. It is said that Lord Vishnu’s guard (at this fort) incurred
the wrath of Sage Durvasa, who cursed him to turn into a snake and was finally
relieved of his curse here at ThiruMeyyam.
There
is no end for Sathyam (Truth) and it never sleeps and doesnt forget anything.
It calculates the good and the evil actions performed by the people and
according to that, all fo the souls are reached to proper destiny. If we do
good and our actions lead to good thought and action, we will reach the
thiruvadi (feet) of Sriman Narayanan and if we think of bad things and as a
result of it, if we perform bad and evil actions, we will be going to the hell.
To explain this, the perumal is found in Bogha sayanam in Kidantha kolam
without sleeping and calculating the good / bad actions of all Aathmaas.
All
the things that live in this mighty Earth are governed and watched by the
Emperumaan and to explain this, the perumal is found in Nindra Kolam with the
name "Sathya Moorthy" (or) "Sathya giri Nathan".
In
tamil, the truth is referred with the word "Mei" and the Utsavar of
this sthalam is "Meyyan" (or) "Meyyappan". The perumal is
found in Anantha Sayanam and is found inside the sannadhi which is surrounded
by very good sculptural and artistic work as seen in Mahabalipuram.
In
older days, when Asurars where dominating the world and the Adharmam (evil) was
spread along the entire world. Because of this, there was not much of Yagams
and poojas were done and all the Rishis, and Devars were very much frightened
about this. They could not protect the Asuras, since they get enormous powers
with them. They all surrendered towards "Dharma Devathi", the goddess
of Dharman and pleased her that she must help them to get out this danger.
Dharma devathai replied them that she will help them out, thereby changed
herself into a deer and came to this Sathya Kshetram which is also called as
"Venu Vanam", since this sthalam is fully covered by Bamboo trees.
The perumal came infront of Dharma Devathai and promised her that he would stay
in the sthalam as "Sathya giri Nathan" and helps all the peoples and
including the Rishis and Devas from Adharmam.
Once,
Athri Muni and his wife Anusuya lived, who are said to be the strong believer
of the Emperumaan. They were so famous for their bhakti and tapas towards the
perumal and they started for doing tapas against all the Mum - Moorthies (i.e.)
Sriman Naryanan, Brahma devan and Lord Shiva and their wish was as one of the
hamsam of these Thriumurthies they should have their children born. All the
murthies agreed and as a result as the hamsam of Sri Vishnu a child was born who
is called as "Dattatreyar", as the hamsam of Lord Shiva the Moon God
was born. All these 3 children's were taught with proper Vedas and mantras and
were sent to do tapas by their fther, Athiri rishi. First, Durvasa Rishi went
to Kailasa malai and Dattatreyar went to the foot of the Himalayas to do the
tapas and the Moon god came to this Sathya giri kshetram to do the tapas
against Sriman Narayanan. The perumal gave his seva as satisfied by on his
tapas and asked his wish. The moon god asked that since he stays in Surya
Mandalam his Vaasam (stay) should be also in Chandra Mandalam (Moons Place).
For this, the perumal accepted and stayed in Chandra Mandalam also.
We
can see the well stretched and huge Raja Gopuram, which is found at the
entrance of the temple. This sthalam is also called as "Aadhi Ragam"
and the perumal is older and big than that of the perumal found in Sri Rangam.
After entering through the Raja Gopuram, we can find a big Mandapam where lots
of stone carved pillars are found with beautiful paintings. Separate sannadhi
for Sri Kannan, Sri Aandal, Chakrathalwar and Narasimhar are found.
After
crossing this Mandapam another big mandapam by named "Maha Mandapam"
is found in which the Garudan facing along the Moolaver Sannadhi is found.
Moolavar Sathya giri nathan in Nindra thriukkolam and next to this sannadhis,
separate sannadhi for Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar is found. On the western side
inside the mountain, as Bogha Sayana Moorthy in Anantha Sayanam, the perumal in
another thirukkolam is giving his seva and this perumal is big in structure
then Sri Rangam Ranganathar. Having Aadhiseshan as the bed, the perumal gives
his Kidantha Kola seva with two Thirukkaram (hands) as same as the Ranganathar
found in Sri Rangam.
It
is said that some Madhu Kaidapars (Amsam) came from the Ears of Sriman Naryanan
of this sthalam and they tried to grab bhoomi piratti along with them. But,
Aadhiseshan protested and fought with them and killed all of them by his
poison. But, it was little bit worried because without getting the permission
from the perumal, he did this. It stayed infront of the perumal convinced him
ans as a result of this, the perumal's one hand is found towards Aadhiseshan as
conveniencing him and another hand is found on his chest there by protecting the
piratti.
Around
this perumal, Chitraguptan, Maarkandeya Maharishi, Brahma devan and Garudan are
found. Chitraguptan who assist along with Yamen, the king of Naragham (the
hell) and the Maarkandeya maharishi who has got the "Sirangeevi"
throne are found around the perumal to show the couts of people along with
their good and evil actions performed by them. On the thiruvadi (feet) of the
perumal, Bhoomi piratti and Madhu Kaidapars are found.
This
temple is almost the same as that of the temple in Mahabalipuram. We can find
lots of stone carved Sculptures and paintings and the perumal is found inside
the mountain and it serves as the umbrella for him. Another temple by named
"Keeyai Kovil" is found where a temple for Lord Shiva is found. The
name of him is "Sathya gireeswarar". It is said that Mahendra
pallavan had constructed this temple for both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shivan
without having any racism between Saivism and Vaishnavism.
This
"Thirumeyyam" is surrounded by lots of mountains and a special hill
by named "Vaishnavi Durgai" hill is also found which is famous for
its beauty and the Vaishnavi Durgai found inside the hill.
|
Moolavar |
Sri Sathyagiri Nathan Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Uyya Vandha Nachiyaar |
|
Theertham |
Kadhamba Pushkarani And Sathya Theertham |
It
is believed that holy dip on Sathya Theertham during the days of Pournami in
the Tamil month Vaikasi is highly meritorious and eradicates sins committed.
All the sacred rivers unite on this holy pond on the above auspicious day and provide
abundance of merits to whoever takes holy dip in this water. On the Chitra
Pournami day, Sathiya Moorthy Perumal is taken out on a 40 mile procession to
Kadaya Kudi.
Four
daily rituals are performed at various times of the day and many yearly
festivals are held at the temple, of which the car festival during the Tamil month
of Vaikaasi (April - May), Krishna Jayanti during Aaavani (August
- September) and Aadi Pooram during July - August being the most prominent.
There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
18kms
South of Pudukottai, 25 kms North of Karaikudi. One can take
Pudukottai-Karikudi or Pudukottai-Tirupattur bus to reach here.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Sathyagiri Natha
Perumal Thirukkovil,
Thirumeyyam,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
No comments:
Post a Comment