Sangam literature

Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years c. 600 BC to 300 AD. This collection contains 2381 poems composed by 473 poets, some 102 of whom remain anonymous The period during which these poems were composed is commonly referred to as the Sangam period, referring to the prevalent Sangam legends claiming literary academies lasting thousands of years, giving the name to the corpus of literature. Sangam literature is primarily secular dealing with everyday themes in a Tamilakam context.

The poems belonging to the Sangam literature were composed by Dravidian Tamil poets, both men and women, from various professions and classes of society. These poems were later collected into various anthologies, edited, and with colophons added by anthologists and annotators around 1000 AD. Sangam literature fell out of popular memory soon thereafter, until they were rediscovered in the 19th century by scholars such as C. W. Thamotharampillai and U. V. Swaminatha Iyer.

Sangam literature

Sangam literature deals with emotional and material topics such as love, war, governance, trade and bereavement. Much of the Tamil literature believed to have been composed in the Sangam period is lost to us, though detailed lists of works known to the 10th century compilers have survived.

The Indologist Kamil Zvelebil quotes A.K.Ramanujan :"In their antiquity and in their contemporaneity, there is not much else in any Indian literature equal to these quite and dramatic Tamil poems. In their values and stances, they represent a mature classical poetry: passion is balanced by courtesy, transparency by ironies and nuances of design, impersonality by vivid detail, austerity of line by richness of implication. These poems are not just the earliest evidence of the Tamil genius who were part of proto-Dravidian Jain culture. The Tamil in all their 2,000 years of literary effort wrote nothing better".

Compilation of literature

The available literature from this period was categorized and compiled in the 10th century into two categories based roughly on chronology. The categories are: The Major Eighteen Anthology Series (பதினெண்மேல்கணக்கு) comprising The Eight Anthologies (எட்டுத்தொகை) and the Ten Idylls (பத்துப்பாட்டு) and The Minor Eighteen Anthology Series (பதினெண்கீழ்கணக்கு).

Classification

Sangam Poems falls into two categories: the 'inner field' (Agam – அகம்), and the 'outer field'(Puram – புறம்) as described even in the first available Tamil grammar, the Tolkappiyam.

The 'inner field' topics refer to personal or human aspects, such as love and sexual relationships, and are dealt with in a metaphorical and abstract manner. The 'outer field' topics discuss all other aspects of human experience such as heroism, valour, ethics, benevolence, philanthropy, social life, and customs.

The division into agam and puram is not rigid, but depends upon the interpretation used in a specific context.

Environmental classifications


Sangam literature illustrates the thematic classification scheme first described in the Tolkappiyam. The classification ties the emotions involved in agam poetry to a specific landscape. These landscapes are called thinai (திணை). These are: kurinji (குறிஞ்சி), mountainous regions; mullai (முல்லை), forests; marutham (மருதம்), agricultural land; neithal (நெய்தல்) coastal regions; paalai (பாலை) deserts. In addition to the landscape based thinais, kaikkiLai and perunthinai are used for unsolicited love and unsuited love respectively.

Similar thinais pertain to puram poems as well, though these categories are based on activity rather than landscape: vetchi, 'karanthai, vanchi, kanchi, umignai, nochchi, thumbai, 'vaagai, paataan, and pothuviyal.

Tamil Sangams


According to the compilers of the Sangam works such as Nakkeeran, the Tamil Sangams were academies, where Tamil poets and authors are said to have gathered periodically to publish their works. The legends claim that the Pandya rulers of the mythical cities of 'South' Madurai, Kapatapuram and Madurai to have patronized the three Sangams. The word "Sangam" is probably of Indo-Aryan origin (and was not used anywhere in the Sangam literature itself), coming from "Sangha", the Buddhist and Jain term for an assembly of monks.

While these claims of the Sangams and the description of sunken land masses Kumari Kandam have been dismissed as frivolous by historiographers, "Sangam literature" is still the preferred term for referring to the collection of Tamil works from the period 200 BC to 200 AD. Noted historians like Kamil Zvelebil have stressed that the use of 'Sangam literature' to describe this corpus of literature is a misnomer and Classical literature should be used instead.

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Gandhi Memorial Kanyakumari

The Gandhi Memorial, Kanyakumari is temple built in 1956, to commemorate Mohanlal Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Gandhi. Gandhiji, the ambassador of Indian struggle for independence is considered the father of the nation. After his death, shortly after the independence his body was cremated and the ashes disposed off in the sea adjoining Kanyakumari. The ashes, before being disposed off, were kept at the spot where the present Gandhi Memorial stands. The temple lies in the close proximity of the Amman temple.

The Gandhi Memorial, Kanyakumari is built in the semblance of typical temples pf Orissa, yet it has a hint of modernism in its design. It has been built in such a way that the rays of sun at 12 noon lights up the place where the ashes of the Gandhi were kept before disposing off. An urn has been placed in for the general public to pay homage to the sole of Gandhi. The serene setting intertwined with the memories of Gandhi counts for the peaceful and inspiring ambiance of the temple premises. The temple also houses the last belongings of Gandhi, the accessories that were with him in his last hours.

Visitors to the Gandhi Memorial, Kanyakumari are welcome to pay homage to Bapu on all days of the year. The temple premises remain open for public viewing for twelve hours from seven in the morning till seven in the evening. No entrance fee is charged by the temple authorities. Conveyance to the Gandhi Memorial is available in abundance. Cabs, buses or private cars, all of them are comfortable and reasonable in charge.

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Arikamedu

Arikamedu, the ancient Roman trade centre is 4 Kms. south of pondicherry on the bank of Ariyankuppam river. Arikamedu has a long history that dates back to the second century B.C. The port town was inhabited by Romans, Cholas and French who left their mark on this wonderful place. The Roman treasure trail and Arikamedu river cruise take you down the History lane. An unforgettable experience that you wouldn't want to miss.

Arikamedu a fishing colony was used as a port for trade with the Romans and Greco-Romans. An ancient Chola coin dating back to 1 B.C. suggests involvement of Cholas in various port related activities. Besides maritime commerce there seems to be evidence of inland trade with other 'megalithic' sites like Kaveripattinam, Alagankulam, Musiri and Suttukeni along river valley routes. Later the site was divided into two sectors northern and southern as they were perceived to have been inhabited by different ethnic groups. It is also known as 'Yavanas' in Tamil literature.

ANCIENT TRADE :
Wine seems to have been a major import as traces of Amphora jars suggest.'Yavanas' and wine have been mentioned in the same breath in Tamil literature- "having increased the joy by giving to the girls of shining bangles, who every day have taken in hands, vessels beautified by gold, to drink the cool, fragrant wine brought by the Yavanas in beautiful bowls". Besides wine Garum sauce and Olive oil were also imported.

The exports must have included textile, beads, semiprecious gems, glass and shell bangles as wastage at the manufacturing site suggest. Even today if one looks carefully, after about of heavy rains, one can find beads on the bank of the river.

ARIKAMEDU IN MEDIEVAL TIMES

Formerly it was considered that Arikamedu was abandoned after 200 A.D. but fragments of Amphoras and a copper coin of Constantine I minted between 306-324 A.D. suggest that Arikamedu was occupied from 300 A.D. to 700 A.D. There is also considerable evidence to suggest that the site was occupied during medieval Chola times .

Finds of Chola coins, Chinese Celadon pottery and other East Asian glazed ceramics suggest occupation of the site and some involvement in the Medieval East-West maritime trade as well. Some pottery found here are very similar to the eleventh century pottery of Gangaikondacholapuram Decorated spouts of water jars and clay lamps of the medieval period are also present.
Between 1771-73 Monsieur Pigneau de Behaine, designated Bishop of Adran, built a seminary and residence on the eastern part of the mount for the Jesuit missionaries driven out of Siam . It was abandoned in 1783.

The remaining walls of the seminary clearly indicate the use of mixed style of bricks, some of them, probably pilfered from ancient structures. The mission house has been the point of reference for all excavators viz. Wheeler, Casal and Vimala Begely and co.

There doesn't seem to be evidence of any other structure belonging to this French period. There are a few fragments of decorative ceramic tiles and reliefs, pieces of pottery and glass in the puducherry Museum.

ARIKAMEDU TODAY

Except for the perpendicular walls and mission house there is not much that can be seen on the surface as the excavated trenches have been filled up. Coconut and Mango trees are there in abundance.

Its almost like they are intent upon reminding one to step out of the time machine into the realm of reality. The plantations take your breath away. The mangoes hanging from the lower branches feel like the forbidden fruit and the orchard itself truns into the garden of Eden.

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Chitharal

Chitharal is a small village situated at a distance of 7 Kms., from Marthandam and 45 Kms, from Kanyakumari. It is famous for the Rock-cut temple. Hillock at Chitharal has a cave containing Rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendent deities carved inside and outside dating back to 9th Century A.D. It was converted into Bagavathy Temple in the 13th Century A.D. Cars and Vans can go upto the foot of the hill. One has to walk for about 10 minutes to reach the temple.

The Jain images have been preserved Central Archeological Survey of India.
It is famous for the hillock at Chitharal has a cave containing rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside dating back to the 9th century A.D. Plenty of visitors make their visit and enjoy the beauty of its rich look.

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MGR Samadhi & Anna Samadhi

M G Ramachandran (Called MGR) is the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1977-1987). There is a beautiful memorial built for his Samadhi near Marina beach, which is visited by a lot of people every year.
It seems, MGR was the first prominent film personality to be elected as a Chief Minister in India. He was earlier with the DMK and then formed his own party ADMK afterwards. Under MGR, ADMK won all the elections it contested in Tamil Nadu.
The entrance for MGR Memorial has been beautifully constructed (above photo). MGR was a huge film hero of his times. Though I have watched some of his movies, I am not very familiar with his films. It seems, during the introductory songs in his movies people were not able to hear anything in the theatres – the sound was so deafening!
MGR has acted, produced and even directed movies. It seems he was responsible for popularizing the free mid day meals for children who attend corporation schools, which led to a remarkable increase in the number of school enrollments. MGR was awarded the Bharat Ratna award posthumously.
Peraringar Anna Durai, popularly called as Anna (Meaning Elder brother in Tamil) was the first Non-Congress Chief Minister of any state in India, which had its own majority. He was also the founder of the Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Party. Before founding the party, he was a member of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) party headed by Periyar. But since Periyar decided not to contest in elections, Annadurai split from DK to form DMK.

Anna was a popular script writer (in Tamil movies) and he has also written a lot of books. He is a very famous orator and was the editor of few magazines. Anna was fluent in both Tamil and English. Both the political parties in TN (DMK and AIADMK) consider Anna as their mentor.
Anna (and DMK) opposed the move to make Hindi the official language and to be taught compulsorily in all schools. He adopted a two language formula when elected as Chief Minister (1967-1969). He was also responsible for changing the name of Madras State to Tamil Nadu.
Lot of institutions / public utilities are named after him. For example, the Anna Salai (previously called as Mount Road), Anna Nagar (Residential area), ADMK/AIADMK (Political party), Aringnar Anna Zoo, Anna University, etc. Perhaps no other leader in Tamil Nadu has so many things named after them!

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Anna University

Anna University (Tamil: அண்ணா ப‌ல்கலைக்கழகம் ISO 15919:aṇṇā palkalaikkaḻakam) was a premier technical university in Tamil Nadu, India. Anna University was formed on September 4, 1978, as a unitary university that integrated four technical institutions in the city of Chennai (previously known as Madras), including the College of Engineering, Guindy, Alagappa College of Technology, Madras Institute of Technology and the School of Architecture and Planning. It was named after C. N. Annadurai.

Originally the university was named Perarignar Anna University of Technology (PAUT). In 1982 the current name of Anna University was adopted, removing the words "Perarignar" and "Technology". In December 2001, it was converted into an affiliating university, with many engineering colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu under its fold and also absorbing all the six government engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu as its constituent colleges. In all, it brought together about 250 engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu.

Between 2007 and 2010 it was split into six universities, namely, Anna University, Chennai, Anna University of Technology, Chennai, Anna University of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Anna University of Technology, Coimbatore, Anna University of Technology Tirunelveli and Anna University of Technology, Madurai.

Achievements

A Research Center for Nanosciences and Technology has been established. The government of Tamil Nadu has provided Indian Rupee symbol.svg 5 million as seed money to establish a clean room facility for developing semi-conductor devices at Crystal Growth Centre, which was established in 1990 by the UGC, New Delhi.

Anna University Chennai, in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has planned to design core engineering modules which are attractive in the job market.

Anna University Chennai has created a “Centre for Distance Education” to conduct MCA, MBA and M.Sc. computer related courses under Distance Education Mode. The IT companies namely TCS., Infosys, L&T and HCL have agreed to have a common aptitude test that would rank students on the skill sets required for the industry.

The university has proposed to establish a building in the proposed CT Park in the Guindy Campus and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC),and has agreed to provide infrastructure for its R&D training research centre. HP announced that the university has been awarded a "Technology for Teaching” Grant of US $70,000. This grant will be used to establish a Centre for M-learning with the support of HP to engage the faculty to promote the use of mobile and wireless technologies.

A Digital Knowledge Centre has been inaugurated in the University Library. The library was upgraded by establishing the infrastructure facilities for Digital Library with the assistance of the student of CEG -79 batches.

Anna University Chennai has conducted “Training the Trainer” programmes in collaboration with ELCOT and software companies such as Infosys, Wipro, CTS , TCS and Scope International under the scheme of “Enhancing the Employability of Students” from the Affiliated Colleges of Anna University Chennai. The objective of this programme was to train teachers to impart communication and soft skills to students more effectively. Nearly 250 teachers benefited from this programme.

Anna University Chennai introduced a medical insurance scheme to provide health care to the students and employees of the University. Nearly 6000 students and 1500 staff members have benefited through this scheme.

Anna University Chennai is establishing tie-ups with universities and organizations abroad in order to promote research in technical Education. More than 108 national and 69 international Memorandum of Understanding have been signed.

The UGC has conveyed its approval for the upgradate of the DRS programme in the department of CSE to the level of DSA (Phase I) for a duration of five years, with the financial assistance of Indian Rupee symbol.svg 7.5 million.

The USC has sanctioned Indian Rupee symbol.svg 2 million each to three DSA Departments of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering and four DRS Departments of Chemistry, Computer Science Engineering, Biotechnology and Geology for strengthening of infrastructure facilities.

The USC has conveyed its approval for the upgradation of DSA (Phase Ill) programme in the DEEE to the level of centre for Advanced studies (CAS) for duration of five years with the financial assistance of Indian Rupee symbol.svg 7.5 million for implementing the programme.

The Resource Center for Indian Language Technology Solutions – Tamil, Anna University has been working in the area of language technology with emphasis on the following areas: • Linguistic Tools • Language Technology Products • Content Development • Research On Information And Knowledge Extraction.

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Suchindram

The only shrine dedicated to TRINITY is Thanumalaya's at Suchindram 14 Kms from Kanyakumari. The name Thanumalayan denotes the combination of the Trimurthis Sthanu is a synonym for Siva, Mal for Vishn and Ayan for Brahma. It is believed that the top, middle and base of the Linga in the temple represent Siva, Vishnu and Brahma respectively. Tradition goes that Indra was purified at this place and hence the Suchindram. Suchi means Purity.

The temple here is noted for its exquisite workmenship in stone. It is a treasure houseof sculptures. The musical pillars are very impressive and some of the sculptures in the temple like Vigneshwari, the female form of Vinayaka and the scene of Geethopathesa to parthasarathi in the form of Trinity are rarely to be found elsewhere. Carved exqusitely out of a single block of granite, the imposing figure of Anjaneya, 18 feet height, is a product of marvellous sculptural skill. The gigantic image of Nanjdhi locally known as "Makkalai" made of chank powder is considered one of the biggest in India.

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Alamparai Fort

The ruins of Alamparai Fort (also called Alampara) lie near Kadapakkam, a village 50 km from Mamallapuram on the land overlooking the sea. Constructed in the late 17th century during the Mughal era, the Alamparai Fort once had a 100-metre long dockyard stretching into the sea, from which zari cloth, salt, and ghee were exported. During 1735 AD it was ruled by Nawab Doste Ali Khan. In 1750, for the services rendered by the famous French commander Duplex to Subedar Muzarfarzang, the fort was gifted to the French. When French were defeated by the British, the fort was captured and destroyed in 1760 AD. More recently the structure was damaged in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Presently it is a picturesque and serene spot with backwaters and cool sand. Local fishermen assist tourists in a pleasurable boating experience around the fort. The fort can be reached on driving down the East Coast Road, about 100 kilometers from Chennai and 50 kilometers from Puducherry (Pondicherry).

Alambarai is mentioned in several places in the diaries of Ananda Ranga Pillai, Dubash to Dupleix in French India. It was the primary port of trade for the Arcot nawabs. They had a mint there, and later, at the request of Dumas, the governor of Chennai, The People who worked in the Mints of Alambarai (it is mentioned as 'Alampuravi') moved to Pondicherry and established a mint with the approval of the Nawab of Arcot. It is a regular port of call on the Coromandel Coast. The other contemporary ports were Pulicat, Madras, Mylapore, Sadras (12 km from Mahabalipuram), Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Porto Nova, Tharangambadi (Tranquebar), Karaikal, and Nagapattinam.

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Padmanabhaswamy temple treasures belongs to whom?

Ever since treasure worth crores of rupees was inventoried in the secret cellars of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, noted historian Professor MG Sashibhushan has been a very busy man with journalists from all over the world seeking his opinion on the historical background of the temple and the city.
An authority on the history of the Travancore royal family, his extensive area of work has been on the murals and history of the temples of Kerala.
Though newspapers have assessed the worth of the assets found in the cellars, Prof Sashibhushan says it is just mere speculation, and nobody, not even those who made the inventory, has calculated the value yet. All those who have some knowledge of the history of Kerala know about the wealth of the Padmanabhaswamy temple.But only the eldest member of the Travancore royal family knew exactly how much wealth was there in the temple.
There are many who say that the temple's history is as old as the Sangam period. In Silappathikaram (epic poem in Tamil, written in the 5th-6th century AD by Prince Ilango Adigal), a sea-side golden temple called Adagamadam is mentioned.
It also says the deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu in a reclining pose. Kannagi (central character of Silapathikaram) is said to have come to the temple.
Many historians say that the temple mentioned is the Padmanabhaswamy temple as its deity is Lord Vishnu in reclining pose and it is also near the sea- side. Why it was described as a golden temple was because it was a rich temple and also the one with golden thazhikakudams (domes on top of the gopuram). That is why Adagamadam is Padmanabhaswamy temple itself.

Even in the puranas (religious texts) like Varaha puran, the temple is mentioned.
The first historical evidence about the temple is available in the Vaishanva Azhvar poet Nammazhvar's creations. These were written in the 9th century.
He had written 10 kirtanas in praise of this temple and the deity. His contemporary Thirumanga Azhvar also had written kirtanas about Padmanabhaswamy. These poems show without any doubt that this temple was in existence in the 9th century.
It is also mentioned in the 12th century in a Sanskrit poem by an unknown poet. In the 13th century, there is a Malayalam creation, Ananthapura Varnanam.
Records show that people like Ramanuja Acharyar, Chaitanya, Guru Nanak, etc visited the temple. Guru Nanak had not started the Sikh religion then; he was a Vaishnava Goswami. He had even written a poem on Sree Padmanabha and it is included in the Adi Granth.

Treasure claimed for some clear cut reasons:
1.In Silappathikaram a sea-side golden temple called Adagamadam is mentioned.
2.Similarities with thiruvattaru temple in tamilnadu
3. Kerala was mainly ruled by tamil kingdoms from A.D's
4.The first historical evidence about the temple is available in the Vaishanva Azhvar poet Nammazhvar's creations. These were written in the 9th century.

Anyway It is the property of the temple. Though the wealth belonged to the temple, in some emergency situations, rulers could avail this for the benefit of the state but they were bound to make restitution as soon as possible.
There was a recession in the 1930s and it is mentioned at many places that they had taken some wealth during that period though there is no evidence to show that.In later days, it belonged to the Travancore royal family. Before that, the five branches of the family had ownership rights. The senior-most member of these five families headed the trust.
There was a group of spiritual advisors to the temple, a sort of board called the Ettara Yogam which consisted of Pottis. There was also one Nair in the yogam. The maharaja was above the Ettara Yogam.The tax collectors of the temple property were called Ettu Veettil Pillas.And they were the children of the maharaja from his Nair wives. There were conflicts between the rulers and the Ettu Veettil Pillas due to which the temple was closed for 50 years or so and it was set fire to in the 17th century.It was reopened when Umayamma Rani ruled the state as the regent Maharani.Later on, disputes arose between the members.
There are a lot of gems also in the chambers, which in all probability can be from the Deccan. As far as I know, they have not so far found anything that throws light on the kind of trade Kerala had with the world. Travancore family got revenue from exporting pepper to the world and they lived from what they earned from this though business from pepper started only in the 17th century.
The head-less archaeology department of the state government (it does not have a director for some time now) says it will take care of the wealth. It is a natural tendency for all to ask for a part of the wealth!
Today, all those who have no competence or knowledge of ancient temple history are spouting all kinds of nonsense.
our expectation is to understand the value of treasure not just by money, its a value of our history and everyone have a role to preserve it.

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Papanasam

The river Tamraparni reaches the plains at Papanasam. Over the Papanasam junction, the Papanasam Hydro, Electric Plant with the Upper and Lower Dams has been constructed in recent years.

 Papanasam is at the foot of the mountain ranges, and the bed is rocky. The temple is famous for the absolution of all sins committed by human beings; hence the name Papanasam (or Papa Vinasanam).

At the foot of the fall is, as might be expected, a shrine dedicated to Agastis-wara. Rishi Agastya to whom Siva gave darsan in the South while he was married to Parvati in Kailas. Agastya is brought every year from his shrine to witness the marriage of the God and Goddess of the local temple.

The following legend is told about the sacredness of the shrine. To the Hindu the great attraction of the waterfall is its power (as illustrated by many stories) of washing away human sins.

 Among the best ‘known of these tales is one which relates how at one time there lived near this place a Pandya king. He was converted to Buddhism and oppressed his people so severely that many fled the country.
                       


 Bidding them clothe themselves in black and wander in search of expiation to all the bathing-places of the earth, the wise added that in the place where their black clothes turned white, they would have their salvation. After many years they came to Papanasam and bathed in the river. Their clothes turned white; God appeared and granted them the blessing of ever-lasting happiness.

The chief deity of the temple is Papavinaseswarar. There are several mandaparns, (halls) and choultries (resting houses) here. The Place is a small village. The river runs from Rocky Mountains on big boulders.

 Fish of all sizes and of golden hue abound in the water and the pilgrims feed them during their visit to the temple in fulfillment of their vows taken for recovery from their illness.

Nobody catches the fish. The story goes that a European, who did not know the holiness of the fish at this sacred place, hooked one of them and, for the violation of the sanctity, suffered a lot. It is said that if the fish are caught from this river they turn into blood and injure the eye-sight of the persons who eat them.

 The fish are quite harmless and they come in shoals very near the bathers as if wishing to be fed by them. Fried peas are readily available iii the shops close by for feeding them. Monkey, abound here in large numbers.

The Lower Dam on Papanasam is a picturesque spot giving a xinoramic view of a wide area at the foot of the hill. It is an excellent place for a picnic party.

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Darbhasayanam

Tiruppullaani is located near Ramanathapuram. Tiru means 'sacred', Pula the great sage named Pula Maharshi and Ani means 'forest', the sacred forest abode of Pula Maharshi. The other name of the place is "Pullaranyam" (pull-shrub of grass, aranyam--forest: the forest of grass). This place is known by a third name too, "Darbhasayanam" (darbha means sacred grass and sayanam means a bed to rest on).

Darbhasayanam is one of the Sethu Stalams, on the coast of Tamil Nadu, linked with the Ramayana. It alludes to the incident in Sri Rama's life when he took rest on the sacred grass during his penance, for three days and nights, in this particular place.

The Deities
The main deity worshipped here is Kalyana Jagannathan or Aadi Jagannathan in a standing posture facing east and the Goddess worshipped here are Padmasini and Kalyanavalli. There is a shrine of Lord Rama in the Darbasayana pose, signifying his resting here and invoking Varuna for help in crossing the ocean, enroute to Sri Lanka in search of Sita.

About The Temple
This temple with two Prakarams covers an area of about 1.5 acres and is crowned with a 120 feet high Gopuram. In this temple the image of Sri Vishnu, in the reclining posture, on his couch of Adi Sesha, is very imposing to see. The place is rich with antiquities connected with divine persons, sages and saints. The Ramanathapuram royal family has patronized the temple.

Pullaranyam was a marshy land full of grass and Sri Rama chose a bed of Darbha grass, which is held very sacred by all the Hindus. The grass is used on all sacred occasions during the performance of propitiatory rituals in honour of Gods and one's ancestors.
THE TEERTHA'S AT THE PLACE

Hamsa Teertha
In front of the Peepal tree where Mahavishnu gave his darsan to Rishi Pullar, there is a big tank, which is very holy. It is surrounded by a number of hermitages. In this tank Sri Narayana assumed the shape of a swan and gave Veda Upadesam to Brahma and hence it is called "Hamsa Teertha" (Hamsa means Swan).

There lived in ancient times three mighty demons by name Mali, Sumali and Malyavan. Of the three, Mali and Sumali were very cruel and they troubled the hermits, Devas and others very much. In order to put an end to the sufferings of the Devas and the hermits, Vishnu repaired on his Garuda to slay them. By using the ordinary arrows he was not able to kill them.

So, he used Sudarsana Chakra, which did away with the Rakshasas (demons). Since the Chakra became impure, Vishnu asked the Chakra to bathe in the Hamsa Teertha (also spelt as Tirtha or Teertha) and wash away all its sins. After the bath the Chakra returned to Vishnu's right hand. The tank got the names of Chakra Teertha, Dharma Teertha and Varuna Teertha also.

Agastya Teertha
Sage Agastya once got very angry and made the mighty ocean flow into his right palm and drank it off in a gulp. He installed a Teertha there and took his bath in it. Then, for the sake of his forefathers, he offered Pindapradana and performed Tarpana. From that day onwards, it is called "Agastya Teertha".

Hiranya Teertha
It is on the western side of Chakra Teertha. On the banks of this, Hiranya performed tapas and received powerful boons.


The Importance Of The Peepal Tree In Pullaranyam
There arose a famine, which lasted for twelve years. The Brahmins went away to the fertile banks of the Ganges. Then, they went to river Saraswati. Their saraswata was reciting the Yajurveda, the version of which was different from that of the Brahmins. The Brahmins told that her that the version was wrong. They took the case before Brahma. He was not able to decide and prayed to Lord Vishnu for assistance. Lord Vishnu told Brahma that the Peepal tree in Pullaranyam would point out the correct version. During the recital, if the leaves did shake, then that text could be deemed correct.

Accordingly, when the Brahmins recited the Veda, the leaves rustled, but when Saraswati recited it, the leaves did not move at all. So, the text of Saraswati was accepted as the correct one. This Peepal tree in Pullaranyam is very sacred, whoever performs tapas under this tree gets salvation. Pullar, Kan Kalavar, Tevalar and others performed penance under this tree and were blessed with Moksha.

It is also believed that if people without child perform Nagapratishtha under this Peepal tree, they would be blessed with children with long lives. The Pradakshina round this Peepal tree wards off the worst sins.


Legends Connected With The Temple
The southern part of India in olden days was a vast shrubby jungle, infested with demons, who were always a great menace to the saints and sages in their pursuit after eternal truth. Sage Pula Maharshi started a penance sitting under a Peepal tree, for the deliverance of people from the persecutions of those Rakshasas. As a result, Mahavishnu appeared in his vision in the form of Adi Jagannatha and declared that he (Vishnu), in his subsequent avatar as Sri Rama, would annihilate the demons and the wicked, and deliver the world from their cruelties. At the request of Pula Maharshi, Mahavishnu also granted the boon by which he agreed to reside in this sacred place and bless his devotees.

Since then, this place has become sacred and known as "Pullaranyam Kshetram". Sri Rama in his search for his consort Sita and in his effort to bridge the gulf to Lanka was perplexed how to overcome the natural obstacle, the sea. He laid himself on the bed of the sacred grass for three days and nights in deep meditation. In answer, Sri Adi Jagannatha appeared before Sri Rama, handed him the weapon of victory, called "Divya Chapa", and blessed him with success.

Adi Setu
Adi Setu, where Sri Rama commenced the Setubandhan, is three miles south of this Kshetra. Sri Rama, on his return from Lanka and after the Linga (also spelt as lingam) Pratishtha at Rameshwaram, visited Adi Setu to bathe in the sea and ward off the evil effects of Brahmahatya committed by his slaying of Ravana, the Brahmin. After visiting Adi Setu, Sri Rama stopped his Pushpaka Vimanam (Lord Rama vehicle) at Darbhasayanam, to show his consort Sita the place of his fast and penance and the place where he received the divine weapon.

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, played under 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.

The Kanyakas, however, begged of him to have mercy on them and save them from the curse. Tevalar told them that there was a sage by name Pullar in the forest. He was a devout Vishnubhakta. If they went to him, he would indicate to them the manner of redemption. Hearing this, the Kanyakas went to the hermitage of Pullar.

They related to him their past and present history and prayed to him to save them from the curse. Pullar took pity on them and promised to help them to regain their original status. He said that Mahavishnu would take the Avatar of Sri Rama and if the Kanyakas would get darshan of him, they would be absolved of the curse. The Kanyakas were anxiously waiting for the arrival of Sri Rama.

On the northern side of Pullaranyam was the abode of Kanwa Maharshi. In front of it flows a holy river. The hermit used to bathe in the river and pray to Lord Vasudeva for divine bliss. Sage Kanwa heard a divine voice that, when Raghava (Lord Rama) came to the forest, his desires would be fulfilled. From that day onwards, the hermit too was anxiously waiting for Sri Raghava.

In due course Rama with his army of monkeys arrived at this place. He chanced to see the seven Kanyakas, who immediately got released from their curse and turned into Deva Kanyas again. A hunter who accidentally came there saw Lord Rama and received his blessings.

Rama asked him to turn the place into a hamlet, construct a temple in that forest and watch the bridge Setu. Sri Rama gave the name of "Setu Palaka" to the hunter.

The Festival
In commemoration of Sri Adi Jagannatha's darshan to Sage Pula and Sri Rama, a gjavascript:void(0)reat festival is celebrated in the month of Panguni (March-April) and Brahmotsava is conducted in the month of Chithirai (April-May) to commemorate the two visits of Sri Rama and the incarnation of Maha Vishnu or Adi Jagannatha.

HOW TO GET THERE

Rail:The nearest railway station is at Ramanathapuram and from the station there are regular buses to the temple.
Road: Tiruppullaani is a small town, which is well connected by road with the important towns and cities of the state.
WHERE TO STAY

Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels in Ramanathapuram.

Location : At Tiruppullaani Near Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu
Also Known As: Pullaranyam
Deity Worshipped: Kalyana Jagannathan Or Aadi Jagannathan
Festivals Celebrated: A Great Festival Is Celebrated In The Month Of Panguni (March-April) And Brahmotsava In The Month Of Chithirai (April-May)

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