Thirukudandai or Kumbakonam is one of the 108 Divya Desams in Vaishnavite tradition and is replete with puranic lore. Why is this holy town called Kumbakonam or Thirukudandai? 

There is an interesting spiritual history behind it…

The presiding deity - Sarangapani, Aravamudan – is in a reclining posture facing east. The Thayar is – Komalavalli.

Sweat out at Chennai’s gyms Ragu Kavacham Where the sun worships Perumal Dhanush-Shriya Come Together Again இளையராஜாவின் திடீர் விசிட் ஜீவனின் தொடரும் சென்ட்டிமென்ட் சர்வத்தில் சர்க்கஸ்

According to Hindu puranas, before the end of a yuga there is a deluge - pralaya - which signals the end of that particular period. Once, before the deluge, Brahma, the Creator, placed the Vedas, nectar - amirtham - and the seeds required for the creation of mankind in a closed pot - kudam or kumbam in a peak on the Himalayas.

During the deluge, the kumbam floated and reached the Cauvery delta. At this juncture, the Devas requested Shiva to release the matter from the kudam. Shiva readily accepted their request and took the form of a hunter and pierced the nostril of the kudam. The nectar and the other things flowed from the pot in two directions and reached the Mahamaha kulam and Portamarai kulam. Since, the nectar emerged from the nostril – kuda mookku (kumbamooku) - at this place, it came to be called Thiru Kudandai or Kumbakonam.

Let us catch a glimpse of the genesis of the temple. Sage Brighu wanted to find out as to who was patient among the Trinity - Vishnu, Shiva or Brahma. Thus he reached Vaikuntam and kicked Mahavishnu on his chest. Mahavishnu was not bothered at this act and kept quiet. Mahalakshmi became furious and left the place at once went to the earth and settled down at Kohlapur. She wanted Mahavishnu to admonish the sage but he was silent and endured it with patience.

The sage repented for his act and wanted to atone for his sin. Thus he was born as sage Hema in this holy town and did rigorous penance to appease Mahalakshmi. The sage also wanted Mahalakshmi to be born as his daughter so that he could serve her. Meanwhile, Mahavishnu, full of despair without his consort, came to the earth in search of her. He landed at Tirumala-Tirupati and hid in an anthill. He came to be called Srinivasa and married Padmavathi.

Mahalakshmi came to know about the marriage of Mahavishnu to Padmavathi through Sage Narada. Furious, Mahalakshmi came in search of her spouse to Tirumala. Mahavishnu, aware of Mahalakshmi’s visit, fled from Tirumala and hid in an underground passage in this holy place. Mahalakshmi’s attempt to trace Mahavishnu was futile. What did she do?

(To be continued)

Usha Raja