‘Thiru Kanden Ponmeni Kanden' is how an excited Peyazhwar described his moment of happiness after darshan of Ulagalandha Perumal, on one dark stormy night here in Aippasi at Mrugandu Rishi's Ashram in Tirukovilur.
The story goes that the first three of the Azhwars - Poigai Azhwar, Bhoothath azhwar and Pey Azhwar (referred to as Mudhal Azhwars) - came to Tirukovilur on a rainy night. Poigai Azhwar of Kanchipuram, who reached first, sought refuge at the ashram of Mrugandu Rishi who agreed to allow him in on the condition that there was place for just one person to sleep and that he was welcome to sleep there for the night.
Bhoothathazhwar, from Thiru Kadal Malai (Mahabalipuram), followed shortly. He was welcomed with the message that there was place for one to sleep and two to sit and brought him inside. Pey Azhwar, from Thiru Mayilai (Mylapore), who was the last to reach the ashram, was told that there was place for one to sleep, two to sit and three to stand. The three of them stood there through the night sharing their experiences.
A little later, the Mudhal Azhwars felt the presence of a fourth person and with space only for three to stand, they felt uncomfortable. Through their special vision, they realised that it was Ulagalantha Perumal of Tirukovilur who shared the space with them.
Delighted at seeing the Lord, Poigai Azhwar sang 100 verses (Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi) beginning with ‘Vaiyam Thagazhiyay Vaarkadaley' referring to the Universe as the lamp and the ocean as the oil. Bhoothathazhwar followed it with 100 verses beginning with ‘Anbey Thagaliye' (Second Thiruvandhadhi) while Pey Azhwar showered another 100 verses (Third Thiruvandhadhi) of praise.
Thus, it was here at Tirukovilur that the first verses of Divya Prabhandham were composed and hence this place is credited as being the temple of origin of the sacred 4,000 verses. The ashram where the three Azhwars stayed that rainy night is where one finds the sanctum today. For this special contribution, all the three Azhwars find a place inside the sanctum next to the gigantic Lord Trivikrama who is 24 ft in height and is seen in a grand standing posture with his right leg raised 90 degrees to his right.
Special honours
In celebration of their contribution to the creation of Divya Prabhandham verses at Tirukovilur, a five-day Mudhal Azhwar Utsavam took place here recently.
On the final day of the Utsavam, the occasion of Pey Azhwar's birthday (Saturday, November 5), the three Azhwars were bestowed with special honours – an annual event. Each of them accepted the Lord's garland as well as the Parivattam (sacred turban linen) and the Shatari.
This was followed by the recital of the first set of verses of the Divya Prabandham composed by the three Azhwars.
After the special tirumanjanam of the Mudhal Azhwars at the Pandya Mandapam, a beautifully decorated Ulagalandha Perumal, on the Sesha vahanam, accompanied by the three Azhwars, came out to provide darshan to the devotees. (Due to heavy rains in the evening, the deity and the Azhwars were not taken out in a procession around the Mada streets as was the plan).
Vamana Avatara displayed again
Pleased with the prayers of Mrugandu Rishi but wanting to test him more, Lord Vishnu visited his ashram disguised as an old hungry Brahmin. With no food at the ashram, the rishi's wife sought help from the Lord.
Happy with their commitment of not letting the Brahmin go without feeding him, the Lord filled the vessels with food, much to the surprise of the Rishi. When the happy couple came out to offer food to the Brahmin, they saw Lord Vishnu with the conch and chakra.
Delighted, the Rishi requested the Lord to appear in his Vamana avataram at this place and to stay forever at Tirukovilur.
Tirukovilur is one of the sacred Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetrams. The others being Thiru Kannangudi, Thiru Kannamangai, Thiru Kannapuram and Kapisthalam.
How to reach Thiru Kovilur
Ulagalandha Perumal Divya Desam in Tirukovilur is located about 40 kilometres west of Villipuram on the banks of River Pennai.
Direct buses ply between Chennai Koyambedu bus terminus and Tirukovilur temple (takes five hours).
One can also board a train from Chennai Egmore to Villupuram, from where Tirukovilur can be reached by bus in about 45 minutes.
