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Mahalakshmi settles down in Kohlapur after a duel with her consort, Mahavishnu. She hears about the wedding of the Lord with Padmavathi in Tirumala through Sage
Narada.
Angry at the sudden turn of events, she comes in search of him in Tirumala. But the Lord, afraid to face her, flees Tirumala and hides in an underground spot in Kudandai. Mahalakshmi follows him but is unable to find him. Even a thorough search proves futile.
She becomes desperate and wants to united with him somehow or the other. Thus, she decides to do penance to invoke the Lord. She appears as a baby in the Portamarai kulam in Kudandai. Hema Maharishi takes the child under his care and names her
Komalavalli.
Let us catch a glimpse of another story related to the
temple.
In Ramayana, after Rama’s coronation, pleased with Vibhishana (Ravana’s brother)
Rama gifts the aradhana vigraha of Ranganatha to him. This special idol was worshipped by the solar race – Ikshavaku vamsam – Rama’s ancestors. The idol was integrated by two vimanas - Pranavakrithi and
Vaideeha.
The Lord decided to have his abode at Srirangam on the banks of Coleroon and Cauvery., when Vibhishana carried him en route to Sri Lanka. Bewildered, Vibhishana became depressed and started weeping. The Lord, however, declared that he will stay in Srirangam with Pranavakrithi vimana, reclining on the serpent bed, and the other portion, the Vaideeha vimana, would be found in Kudandai, where he will bless the devotees as Aravamudhan, also reclining on a serpent bed. The Lord stated that Vibishana need not worry and could worship him in Kudandai, propitiating him by visiting this shrine once a year.
Thus, in Kudandai, he blesses Hema Maharishi and marries his daughter Komalavalli. Since Mahavishnu comes to this place with a bow called Sarangam, he is called
Sarangapani.
Presiding deity:
Aravamudhan - Moolavar
Sarangapani – Utsavar
Thayar – Komalavalli
Holy waters-Hemavathi Pushkarani (Portramarai Kulam), Cauvery and Arasalaru.
Vimanam - Vaideeha
The temple gopuram is 150 ft high and was constructed by a devotee.
There is a big temple car called Chitirai Ther and is believed to be one of the biggest in south India. It is aesthetically decorated with wooden dolls and attractive paintings.
The temple has two entrances, Utharayana Vasal and Dakshinayana Vasal, which are opened accordingly. Uthrayana Vasal is open from January 15 – July 15 and Dakshinayana Vasal from July 16 to January 14.
The temple calendar is packed with festivals. And spiritual events.
Kudandai or Kumbakonam is 270 km from Chennai and can be reached by road or train
(Concluded)
Thirukudandai or Kumbakonam
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Usha Raja
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