On December 8, 2013; Vijaya Varusha Karthigai Avittam, Sahasra Deepam was celebrated at Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Perumpuliyur. Devotees lit several lamps around the temple and the whole place looked splendid.
The following are some of the photographs taken on the occasion…
Photo Courtesy: Sri Souriraajen Raghunathan
About the Temple and Sthalapuranam
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple is located 16 km from Tanjore near by Thillaisthanam. Perumal is Sundararaja Perumal and Thayar is Soundaravalli Thayar at this temple. There are separate sannadhis for Yoga Narasimhar, Sri Govindarajar with Ubhaya Nachiyars and Chakrathazhwar.
Thirumazhisai Azhwar has offered mangalasasanam to the Perumal here. Once on his way to Thirukkudandai, Azhwar stopped for a while to take rest and he sat on the “Thinnai” (a sort of bench-pial) in front of a house in Perumpuliyur. A few brahmins were reciting vedas inside that house. On seeing the “harijan” (our Azhwar), they stopped their recitation since, as per tradition and shashtras, Veda was not to be recited in the presence of a person belonging to the fourth caste and our Azhwar immediately understood and was about to leave when the Brahmins started their recitation.
They forgot the next line and at what point they had left the recitation. The Azhwar broke open a paddy seed that was lying there with his fingernail to indicate the exact context which had a reference to the paddy seed. The brahmins were simply flabbergasted and astonished and realised the greatness of the Azhwar and asked for his pardon.
When the Archaka (priest) of the local temple wanted to honour the Azhwar, knowing fully well his bhakti and Gnana, some people objected and spoke ill of the Azhwar. Tha Azhwar felt hurt and prayed to the Lord to show himself to these people in his physical body to prove that the antaryami is the same Narayanan in all living beings, irrespective of the jAti, caste, creed colour, sex etc.,
Akkarangal Akkarangal Enrum Aavadhu En Kolo /
Ik Kurumbai Neekki Ennai Eesanaakkka Vallaiyel /
Sakkaram Koll Kaiyane Sadankar Vai Adangida /
Ut Kidantha Vanname Puram Posindhu Kaattide /
Meaning:” What is the use of your having those resplendent hands if you cannot remove the idiosyncrasy of these ignorant folk and make me powerful in their midst? Lord, with the divine discus in your hand ! Teach these fools a lesson by showing yourself appearing in my very physical body” Again, the Lord obeyed the Azhwar and showed himself off in the body of Azhwar and the protestors were simply astonished and prostrated and begged for his pardon.
