Vanamamalai

Sthala Puranam of Vanamamalai Author: Smitha Ajay

Origin of the Sthala puranams:

Narada wanted to know which theertham was the best so he invoked Lord Shiva with the Rudra mantra and asked him to relate the greatness of the holiest kshetra on the earth. Lord Shiva told Parvati, Then Saraswati who in turn related it to Vyasa Maharishi. Vyasa Maharishi told Sootha Puranikar who in turn related this story to the sages in Naimisarayanam.

Shiva > Parvati > Saraswati > Vyasa > Maharishi > Sootha > Puranikar > All sages

Some myths and beliefs associated with this place:

1) It is believed that Thiruparkkadal-the Ocean of milk manifested itself as Chetru Tamarai Theertham.

2) This place is believed to be Vaikuntam-the abode of Lord Vishnu.

3) The sand of Thothadri is as holy as the Saligrama.

4) Persons who have an attachment with this divyadesam in either 1 of the 4 ways of bhakti namely darshan (seeing), smarana (thinking), Vasa (dwelling) and Keerthana (singing) are said to attain moksha or salvation.

5) Oil Abhishekam is performed daily to the Lord and this oil is later collected into a 25ft deep well. This oil never becomes rancid and is said to possess medicinal qualities. By drinking a spoonful of this oil with faith and devotion, one is said to get rid of all ailments.

Sthala Puranams:

The various Sthala puranams are outlined below:

1) Greatness of the Chetru Tamarai Theertham

A pious king once got lost in the wilderness of the forest and finally became famished for want of food and water. Soon his wandering eyes spotted some untouched food spread out on a leaf and with water in a kamandalam. Fearing that it might be that of a sage he restrained himself from quenching his hunger and thirst but they got the better of him and he finally satisfied himself with the food and water. Soon, as he feared a sage by name Kussasana, son of Kalava rishi came by and was furious to see the king having performed this sacrilege of eating the food meant to be offered first to Lord Vishnu.The sage cursed the king to transform into a dog and wander and that he would be freed from the curse at a holy place. The king turned into a dog and wandered for years together until he chanced to come to Chetru Tamarai filled with lotuses and lilies and drink its water. Lo! Behold he was instantly transformed back to his original human form.
Thus is the greatness of Chetru Tamarai pushkarani.

2) Boomi Devi as "Methini" and present alongside Sridevi with Lord Vishnu in Thothadri:

The rakshasas namely Madhu and Kaitapa robbed the Vedas from Brahma and Lord Vishnu eventually vanquished them to restore the Vedas to their rightful owner. Boomi Devi felt polluted by the very presence of these rakshasas and hence performed austere penance on the Mahendra mountains near Thothadri.When the Lord finally appeared before her, she requested that she be made free of the pollution on her caused by the existence of the rakshasas. Lord Vishnu blessed her and also christened her as 'Methini". The Lord also granted her wish of the Lord continuing to stay in that place along with Sridevi and give darshan to the devotees just as in Vaikunta and hence we find the Lord of Vanamamalai along with his divine consorts and giving darshan to his devotees.

3) Brighu maharishi as the father-in-law of the Lord of Thothadri:

Brighu maharishi performed penance to invoke Lord Vishnu in Thothadri who appeared before the rishi seated on his divine vehicle- Garuda.Brighu maharishi requested that Goddess Mahalakshmi be born as his daughter and the Lord be his son-in-law. His request was granted and accordingly Thayar was born as his daughter and in due course married her odd to Lord Vishnu who stayed on at Thothadri.

4) Urvasi and Thillotama attaining 'sameepya praptam' (staying close to the Lord):

The divine damsels namely Urvasi and Thillothama wanted to attain sameepyam with Lord Vishnu.Thus, both performed severe penance by reciting the Ashtakshara mantram on the banks of the Chetru Tamarai in Thothadri. Finally Lord Vishnu gave darshan with Sridevi and Bhooma Devi seated on the divine vimana. The 2 damsels wanted to be blessed with the fortune of serving Lord Narayana always .The Lord granted their request and asked them to wield the white chamaram to Him at Thothadri. So, even to this day, both Urvasi and Thillothama are seen beside Lord Thothadrinathan wielding the Ven-thamaram or the white fan.

5) Thothadri also referred to as Romasa Nagar :

Romasa Nagar after the sage Romasa muni who was fortunate to obtain the darshan of the Lord of Thothadri after performing penance by abstaining from food and water for many years.