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Thiruparkadal is a sleepy hamlet off Chennai on
the Chennai-Bangalore Highway. The presiding deity is Ranganatha,
reclining on the serpent bed. It is a unique shrine where the icon
of moolavar is made of ‘aththi’ wood.
Hence, the deity is also called Aththi
Ranganathar.
Lord Ranganatha is in a reclining posture on the
serpent bed and is a swayambhu (self-manifest). He appeared in this
hallowed spot thousands of years ago amidst a dense jungle which was
full of aththi trees.
The pooja in this temple is performed according
to the scriptures codified by Vihanasa Maharishi. Chitragupta, the
lieutenant of Lord Yama (God of Death) was seized by body ache as he
was continuously reporting the misdeeds of human beings to Yama. He
pleaded with Brahma for relief, who at once asked him to proceed to
Thiruparkadal and worship the Lord there.
Brahma accompanied Chitragupta to Thiruparkadal
and worshipped the Lord in the Tamil month of Panguni, the star
being Revathi.
Brahma took the ‘thaila kappu’ smeared on the
body of the Lord and applied it on the head of Chitragupta. And his
body ache slowly subsided. He became very happy.
As a token of thanksgiving to the Lord he
proclaimed that those who worship the Lord with devotion will be
redeemed of karma and will be blessed with a healthy and prosperous
life. Chitragupta will also nullify their misdeeds and pave the way
for their salvation. Thus, propitiating the Lord during the Tamil
star Revathi will assure of a place in heaven.
Celestial beings and Siddhars have worshipped the
Lord and have attained Brahma gnana.
The temple bursts at its seams during Vaikunta
Ekadesi
(Concluded) -
Part 1
Usha Raja
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