TIRUCHENDUR

THE RAJAGOPUKAM AND ITS LEGEND

The nine-storeyed Rajagopuram built over the western entrance is by far the best and stands as a superb specimen of sculptural craftsmanship.  This was built by an ardent devotee named Desikamurthiswamy belonging to Mahasannidhanum of Tiruvavaduthurai Mutt.  Though poor financially, he was very rich is soul. So the Lord entrusted him with the noble task of building this, appearing before him one day in dream.  How can he accomplish that onerous task, when he was struggling hard to make the both ends meet? But it was the Lord's bidding! So he commenced the work with faith in the Lord.  

When the workers approached him in the evenings for wages, he began giving ashes of the Lord, but no sooner did the laborers cross the Thoondukai Vinayakar shrine, the ashes were turning themselves into gold coins.  A great miracle! Alas this did not continue longer.  With the completion of the sixth stored, the miracle abruptly stopped.  So he ripped open his devout heart before the Lord with streaming years.  

The Lord then directed him to approach a certain devotee- Seethakathai Maraikkar, living in a nearby village.  Listening to his tale, he gave him a basket of salt. Though disappointed, he reached home, but to his great surprise he found the salt turned into gold coins.  And wonder of wonders! They were enough to complete the tower.  This happened some 300 years ago.  Its oddity evokes devotion in all Rose up thus into high skies, it beckons million looks and bends the heads of devotees in prayer. 

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