OPPILIAPPAN KOIL - LAVANAVARJITA VENKATESWARASWAMY

Food to be palatable, it must be cooked with necessary ingredients. They are six in number. And they must be used in right proportion. Along with them, if spices are added, it becomes delicious and relatable, but they are not within the reach of common man; for their cost is prohibitive.

Salt is indispensable for every type of dish other than sweetmeats, of course. It helps digestion and bone development. Not only for the instant use of daily food items, but for preservation of some items, it is invariably used. Take for example the making of pickles, can it be left out? But it is to be used cautiously. If done indiscriminately, health is affected, and growth stagnated giving rise to diseases of several types. Salt is to health as breath to life.

This all-acceptable and universally practicable truth is willingly and categorically disregarded and derecognized at one place, not in a household of a common man, but at an august ancient temple in Tamil Nadu. Hence, the dishes offered to the deity as Naivedyam go without salt. Lavanavarjita aaharsaltless food is the staple food of the archamurti. He accepts, relishes and is what is more He is enjoying perfect health. From which date this strange tradition came into being deserves attention now. This highlights Lord Balaji's infatuation for Bhudevi whose union in wedlock was consummated on this strange condition. When Markandeya maharshi made a supplication to accept food without salt, the Lord agreed and wedded. Since then the temple prepares Lavanavarjita dishes for Naivedyam. So he is endearingly, yet appropriately called Lavanavarjita Venkateswara in Sanskrit, and Oppiliappan in Tamil language. For full details, read.

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