Thalaichangadu - Where Chandra Dhosha Parihara Sthalam
Nanmadhiya Perumal is blessing with His consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi with one of His Arms on His Hip. Sree Andal can be worshipped very beautiful here . Thirumangai Alwar compared the Face of the Almighty with Cool Moon Light. When Devas and the demons churned the milk ocean to obtain the Nectar, Chandran appeared well before Sree Mahalakshmi, hence he enjoys the status as Her Elder brother. He occupies the second place next to Sun in the planetary system. Another Legend is that he was born to Sage Athiri and his wife Anusuya. Moon is handsome and is the disciple of Jupiter and well versed in Scriptures. Once Guru Bhagwan conducted a Yagna called Raja Suya which was participated by a huge number of Rishis and Sages including Thara, wife of Jupiter. When Chandhran and Thara looked at each other during the event of Yagna, they began to love. Thara left Jupiter and started her life with Chandran. Shocked Deva Guru Jupiter cursed his disciple with leprosy and also reported this issue to Lord Maha Vishnu. Meantime, a son was born to Chandhran and Thara named Bhudhan ( A planet called as Mercury ).
As advised by Lord Vishnu, Chandhran returned Thara to Jupiter and apologised for his mistake. Knowing everything Budhan hated his father for his misdeed. He performed a penance and became one of the Navagraha Planets. Chandhran Ccommitted His Next Mistake. He married the 27 daughters of Dakshan promising him that he would treat each one with equal love and affection. But he did not. He was very fond of Rohini alone and ignored others. The aggrieved daughters approached their father, Dhakshan and narrated their condition. Angry Dhakshan cursed Moon that his handsome face will depreciate day by day. Full moon began to face the impact of the curse. Chandra had to suffer a double curse. Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam Perumal temple’s legend has close connections with another two other Chozhanadu Divya Desams, the first and foremost of 108 Divyadesams, Srirangam Aranganathaswamy Temple and the nearby Parimala Rangan Temple at Thiru Indhalur. Chandhran, to purify himself from all his sins, apologised and requested his Guru Brahaspathi to suggest remedy. He was then directed to undergo a Three Phased Parikaram and to appeal for the blessings of Lord Vishnu for his sins. Moon as the first step in the three phased parikaram, undertook bath at the Chandra Pushkarani and performed poojas at Srirangam Ranganathar Temple for so many years. This helped him liberate himself from his Physical Disease. Subsequently, he came down to Thiruindhalur and offered his prayers to the Almighty Parimala Rangathar. Answering his prayers, HE reduced the severity of his curse and brought back a few of his handsome features. As per Moon’s request, this place in Mayiladuthurai became to be worshipped as Indhunnoor ( A name denoting Chandran - Indhu - Chandhran ) and then later it became Indhalur. Thiru Indhalur Parimala Ranganathar Divyadesam is being worshipped as Chandran Dhosha Parikara Kshetram
Finally as the final phase of his three phased remedy, Chandhran came down to Thalaichangadu Kshetram ( Aruna Vana Kshetram ) had bath in the Pushkarini and underwent a severe penance invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu who at last appeared here as Nanmadhiya Perumal under Chandra Vimanam along with Shengamalavalli Thaayar and liberated Moon completely from all his sins. Hence the Lord here is also referred as Chandra Saabha Haran. A pleased Chandran requested the Almighty to fulfill the wishes of devotees who pray sincerely to him at this temple, just as he did and to relieve them from all the curses and Dhoshams Eventhough committed the mistakes, Chandhran finally surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu for the relief and worshipped Perumal at Srirangam, Thiru Indhalur and Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam, have a dip in the Temple Pushkarini there in all the three Divyadesams and to perform penance on Him for the relief. Chandran meticulously followed his Guru's advice and finally got relieved from all his curses here in Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam, one of the Four Divyadesams located in and around Mayiladuthurai. The Almighty gave Prathyaksham to him because of his sincere penance and as a result of Moon's sincerity, He wore Moon as an Ornament on His head. Nanmadhiya Perumal Temple is about 15 KM from Mayiladuthurai on the way to Karaikal.
|
