Located about 15 kms South of Mayavaram, KripaSamudran(Arumaakadal) temple in SiruPuliyur has Lord Vishnu as a small kid in sleeping posture (called Baala Sayanam).
The story
Two old rishis, Yagapalar and Kanvar, prayed to Lord Shiva at Chidambaram asking for Moksham. Shiva directed them to go westwards to Srirangam, stating Vishnu was the one equipped with the powers to grant Moksham. Because of their poor eye sight, the Rishis instead went southward, lost their way and reached KripaSamudiram. Here, they prayed to Lord Vishnu saying that they were to come to Srirangam to invoke his blessings but have now lost their way and that he grant them Moksham.
It is believed that that the Lord originally gave darshan to the Rishis as Lord Ranganatha (like in Srirangam) in his full form. Because of their old age, the rishis could not see, clearly, the big image of the Lord and hence the Lord gave darshan in a smaller form known as ‘Bala Sayanam’. The Lord KripaSamudran can be seen as a small kid in sleeping posture. Being the Lord in small form, this place is called Siru(small) Puliyur.
A special feature of this temple is that this is one of the only two Divya Desams where the Lord in sayana kolam (sleeping posture) is facing the Southern direction, the other being Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam.
Garuda does not fly over this place
Once Garuda(the Vaahanam of the Lord) and Adiseshan(on whom rests the Lord) got into an argument as to who was more powerful and devoted to the Lord. Seeing Garuda a little arrogant, Lord Vishnu went in favour of the Serpant God. Worried that Garuda might be angered at this, Adiseshan seeks Lord’s protection, upon which Lord asks him to roll himself and lie under him. It is said that as a result of this anger, Garuda never flies over this place.
Owing to his poor eye sight, the rishi lost his way, went southward and reached Kripa Samudiram. Unable to walk any further, he sat in penance at Sirupuliyur. The Lord appeared in his full sayana posture like the one in Srirangam. Since the sage was not able to take in the big form with his feeble eye sight, He appeared in the form of a child – Baala Sayana.
Azhwar surprised
When Thiru Mangai Azhwar visited this place, initially he felt let down by the tiny size of the Lord. Thirumangai, who had seen different displays and different forms of Lord Vishnu, was then impressed upon by Kripasamudra Perumal that this was indeed something very special and that he should savour for the moment. Then he could come to Thiru Kannamangai (Divya Desam about 25 km south-west of Sirupuliyur) for a darshan of his full form in a standing posture. A happy Thirumangai showered 10 verses of praise on Kripasamudra Perumal in his Periya Thirumozhi referring to the Lord as Sala Sayana Perumal and also making a specific reference to Adisesha.
Prarthana sthalam
As this was the place where Kripasamudra Perumal accorded a special status to Adisesha by placing him above Garuda, this temple is of special significance for relief from Naaga Dosha and Kaala Sarpa Dosha. This is the only divya desam where there is a separate temple for Adisesha.
Quick facts…
Deity : KripaSamudran –Arumaakadal
(Bala Vishnu sleeping posture facing south)
Goddess : Daya Nayaki Thaayar
Mangalasaasanam : Thirumangai Azhvaar
Paasurams : 10(1628-37)
Temple timing : 7am –12noon and 5pm-8pm
How to reach there?
Bus : Mayavaram- Tiruvarur/Karaikal Bus
Get down at Kollumangudi bus stop
Take an auto from there (2 kms)- will charge Rs. 20/–30/-
One can also reach here from Thiru Vazhandur Divya Desam via Komal, Keezhanur and Kollumangudi by auto/car (about 15kms)
Place to Stay : Best to stay in Maayavaram
Festivals : Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, Puratasi Pavitrosatvam, Margazhi Adyaana Utsavam
The following is a video of the Divya Desam shared by Sri Vasu Devan Swami…
