Perumpuliyur
- Sundararaja Perumal Koil
Here is an ancient Vaishnava kshetra with a -fascinating tale that taught to the
caste-conscious egoistical brahmins, the value of divinity embedded in god-men
and the futility of class distinctions. It is dedicated to Sundaearaja Perumal
and the moolavar is facing east, and reveals in sthanka posture. It is a well
sculptured icon that wrings veneration at a single glance. The Mother is called
Sundaravalli Natchiar and the temple built in the South Indian architectural
style is quite grand and possesses all the component parts. All are vast in
dimensions and specimens of fine craftsmanship. The temple built on the bank of
river Cauvery claims an additional plus point for sacred bath.
The
Brahmins of this town were famous for their proficiency in vedic lore and passed
for authority on scriptural treatises, but were highly conceited
that they looked down on others. They were humbled' by Tirumalisai Alwar, whose
spiritual power made God followed him once like shadow. It appears, when a group
of brahmins were reciting the vedic hymnsand chants, the great Alwar happened to
pass that way by accident. The puffed up brahmins suddenly stopped their loud
recitation, pressuring that the sacred lore would lose its sanctity if heard by
a low class man. Sooner than the Alwar disappeared from their sight, they
desired to start afresh, alas! they could not locate the place where they left
and could not recall however much they tried. Their tapping on the brains, or
looking upto sky for proper clue eluded their grip. Then one among them,
attributing it to their folly prayed to that man for help. When prayed sincerely
they got over the predicament. Thus the soul power of Tirumalisai Alwar
established its supremacy and cut the hollowed brains to proper size and taught
a fitting lesson. That happened here in this temple.
It lies on the Trichy-Tiruvaiyur bus route, accessible by four wheelers.
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