TIRUCHENDUR

THE MIRACLE OF THE SHANMUGA IMAGE 

The principal image of Shanmuga worshipped now in the temple has surprisingly a fascinating tale to narrate.  It happened around 1648, when Europeans were trying to entrench themselves in this land. Being aliens, physically and spiritually too, they under estimated the divinity abiding in holy images, and sanctity pervading Me places of worship.  A certain Dutch plunderer presuming the charming image of Shanmuga made of gold managed to dismantle and carry it with him in his ship.  But how far! Before the temple tower vanished into the horizon, there arose a hurricane which soon developed into a dreadful storm.  All on a sudden at it.  And look, that frightful one tossed the ship terribly and threatened to sink it at once. 

Attributing it to the sacrilege done to the holy statue, fie ordered it to be hurled into the sea.  Miraculously, the storm receded as it broke out.  The Dutch despoiler though went home down in spirits, he was unhurt.  When the theft was reported duly to the local Chieftain, Thiru Vadamalappa pillai, he managed to install one made of Panchalaha in its plate.  Meanwhile, the Lord appeared to him in dream and directed him to go to sea to securing the original idol at a place, where a lemon would be seen floating and over it a Garuda, the divine vehicle of Lord Srimannarayana circling. 

He left for it anon in a boat and found it at the very place as said.  With strict Agamic injunctions and spending generously he installed it and later built a Mandapam to perpetuate this astounding incident. He made adequate endowments to offer annual poojas in the months of Masi and Avani.  They are continued even to this day. What else can one utter on listening to it except -- Inscrutable are the ways of God, and to attain salvation there is no other way than surrendering absolutely to that Omnipotent HIM. In full and all at once.  That alone gives consolation and makes one fit for upward journey.

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