In
this temple the image of Sri Vishnu, in the reclining posture, on his couch of Adi Sesha,
is very imposing to see. The temple is five miles southeast of Ramnad Railway Station, on
the Southern Railway. The place is rich with antiquities connected with divine persons,
sages and saints. But a visit to this shrine is mostly missed by pilgrims for the lack of
good travel facility. In commemoration of Sri Adi Jagannatha's darsan to Sage Pula and Sri
Rama, a great festival is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March --April) and
Brahmotsava is conducted in the month of Chaitra to commemorate the two visits of Sri Rama
and the incarnation of Maha Vishnu or Adi Jagannatha.
Once a hermit by name Tevalar, who was well versed in the Vedas, performed tapas in this
forest. One day seven Deva Kanyakas, who were enamoured of the beauty of the place,
playedunder the shades of trees and bathed in the tank nearby, leaving their clothes on
the bank. Then Tevalar came there to take his bath. The Kanyakas, unmindful of the hermit,
continued their jalakreeda (water-sport) without any dress on. The hermit, getting
offended with the Kanyakas, cursed them and they changed into mortals. |