Sage Markandeya who took Mahalakshmi into his fold started searching for a suitable groom for her. At this juncture Mahavishnu appeared in the form of an old Brahmin in the Tamil month of Panguni on the auspicious Ekadesi Thiruvonam day.

He requested the sage to give his daughter Mahalakshmi in marriage to him. The sage was shocked at this proposal and declared that his daughter was too young for this old man.

But Mahavishnu insisted that he would marry her as his old appearance had nothing to do with his youthful ideas. Markandeya stated that his daughter did not know cooking and might forget to add salt to the food, and that she will earn the wrath of the old man. He also felt that this match will not work.

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Mahavishnu was very firm in his decision and declared that even if she cooked food without salt he will not be bothered. In fact, he would be happy. He refused to budge from that place and persisted in marrying her. Perplexed at the turn of events, the sage surrendered himself to the almighty and went into a trance. Markandeya learnt that the old Brahmin was none other than the Lord himself. When the sage came out of the trance he saw the Lord giving darshan to him with sangu and chakra, as handsome as ever. Was he not blessed to be the father-in-law of the Lord?

The sage performed the celestial wedding of Mahavishnu with his daughter Mahalakshmi. Since the almighty accepted saltless food, the practice of offering saltless neivedyam continues till date. Of the 108 Divya Desams, only here neivedyam is saltless.

The Lord is also called Uppiliappan because the offering to him has no ‘uppu’ - salt. He is also called Oppiliappan which means the Lord who is non pareil.

The idol of Oppiliappan resembles Lord Venkatachalapathy of Tirupati. He is found in a standing posture, facing east.
Thayar: Bhoomidevi
Vimanam: Suddhananda.
Holy water: Ahorathra. Devotees can take bath here during any part of the day which is a speciality of this theertham.

The birth star of the Lord, Sravanam or Thiruvonam, is celebrated in a grand manner.

Uppiliappan Koil is a vibrant holy town situated near Kumbakonam.

(Concluded)

Thiruvinnagar or Oppiliappan Koil - 1

Usha Raja

More Articles	Published on June 1st, 2007
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