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Sri Aadhi Jagannatha Temple – Thiruppullani Location
Thiruppullani is about 125 km due east and a little south of Madurai in Tamil Nadu near the town of Ramanathapuram. Thiruthangal is 80 km south and a little to the west of Madurai.
Temple location on Google Maps
Thirupullani Sthalapuranam
The place has a double connection with the Ramayana. According to the legends, King Dasaratha did his Putra Kameshti ‘yajna’ here, as a result of which four sons were born to him. Lord Rama, in His quest for the abducted Sita, landed upon the shores of this bay with His monkey army looking for ways to cross Lanka.
He is said to sleep on a bed of ‘durbha’ grass, calling on Samudra Raja. The word grass in Tamil is pul, and the name of the place means the sacred place where he slept on ‘sacred grass.’
Aadhi Jagannatha Temple – Special Features
The temple is believed to have been built by either the Cholas or the Pandyas in the 8th century. There are many inscriptions in the temple dating from the 8th to the 14th century. The Lord is Adi Jagannatha and the Universal Mother is Padmasini. The Lord is seated with Sridevi and Bhudevi in the sanctum sanctorum. There is a separate shrine for Darbha Sayana Rama in the same temple.
Mangalasasanam
In his Peria Thirumozhi (1768-1787), Thirumangai Alwar exhorts all to join the Goddess (Nayaki Bhava) in worshipping the Lord at Thiruppullani, where pearl-like flowers are plenty. The same Thirupullani, where the sea waves wash ashore, pearls provide a cure for the separation from the Lord.
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Nindra Narayana Perumal – Thiruthangal Sthalapuranam
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu’s three wives wanted to find out who amongst them is most devoted to Him. So, Sridevi came to this place and went into penance praying to the Lord. Since Sridevi stayed here, it became the place where Sridevi resided. Seeing this, Bhudevi and Neeladevi joined her, acknowledging her superior devotion.
Temple location on Google Maps
Special features
The Lord is called Nindra Narayana Perumal and the Universal Mother is Arunakamala Mahadevi. The temple has no raja gopuram and is located on a rock. It is said to be built by Devendra Vallabha, a Pandya king.
Mangalasasanam
In his Irrandaam Thiruandhadhi (2251) Poigai Alwar says that Thanjai Mamani Koil, the main temple at Srirangam, Tiruthanka, Tirumala where the devotees think as ultimate, the Ocean of Milk, the temple at Tiru-kadal-mallai, Tirukkovilur and the temple at Tirukkudanthai surrounded by walls are all places where the Lord who shot arrows so well and decided to reside in.
