Located 1km East of Natham Varagunamangai Divya Desam is the Thiru Pulingudi Divya Desam (part of the Nava Tirupathi) on the Northern Banks of Tamaraibarani,where Lord Kaasini Venthar is seen in a Bhujanga Sayanam Posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi by his side.
The Story
Lord Vishnu along with his consort Sridevi came down to the banks of Tamaraibarani to spend sometime. Angered at being left out, Bhoodevi hid herself in the nether world causing draught and darkness everywhere.
Reasoning out that she was as dear as Sridevi, Lord Vishnu brought her back from the Nether World and gave darshan here at Pulingudi.
The Name- Bhoomi Paalar
As he brought Bhoo devi here, Lord is referred to as ‘Bhoomi Paalar’ at this temple.
Another story goes that a king who ignored the rishi’s presence was cursed to become an asura. Indra, who had Brahmahathi Dosham as a result of killing a rishi, in disguised form as a deer, had bath at the Theertham here and offered prayers to Bhoomi Paalar to get liberated from his curse.
Pleased with this, Indra performed a yagna here at Thiru Pulingudi. The asura, who tried to prevent the yagna was killed by Vishnu and thus was liberated from his curse.
Sayana Kolam
One can see the feet of Lord Bhoomi Paalar from a wall opening while one goes around the temple.
Azhvaar Praise
NamAzhvaar in his praise refers to the Lord as Kaisini Venthar.
காய்சின பறவை ஊர்ந்து
பொன் மலையின் மீமிசை கார் முகில் போல
மாசினமாளி மாலிமான் என்று அங்கு
அவர் படக் கனன்று, முன் நின்ற
காய் சின வேந்தே, கதிர் முடியானே
கலி வயல் திருபுளிங்குடியாய்
காய் சின ஆழி, சங்கு, வாழ், வில், தண்டு
ஏந்தி எம் இடர் கடிவானே- Thiruvoi Mozhi – 3797
Quick Facts
Moolavar: Kaisini Venthar Bhujanga Sayanam
Goddess : Malarmagal Thaayar, Bhoodevi, Sridevi
Azhvaar : NamAzhvaar (12 Paasurams)
Temple Time: 9am-12noon and 1pm-6pm
Contact : Gopalakrishnan Bhattar @ 04630 256116 or 93666 18185
How to reach
Thiru Pulingudi is about 4kms East of Srivaikuntam on the Tuticorin road. One can take an auto or taxi from outside the Srivaikuntam temple to visit the Nava Tirupathi temples- will cost Rs.350-400.
Source: prtraveller.blogspot.com
