Moolavar : Purushothamar
Amman / Thayar : Purushothama Nayaki
Thala Virutcham : Jack and plantain trees
Theertham : Tiruparkadal Theertham
Old year : 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name : Tiru Van Purushothamam
City : Thiruvan Purushothaman
District : Nagapattinam
State : Tamil Nadu
General Information:
Accompanied by Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Lord Purushothaman appears in a standing posture facing east. Mother Purushothama Nayaki blesses devotees from Her own shrine in the southwest side of the temple in a sitting position. Shrines of Sri Andal, Lord Rama with Mother Sita and Sri Lakshmana, Sri Anjaneya, Nammazhwar, Udayavar Sri Ramanuja, Senai Mudaliar are in the inner prakara. The vimana above the presiding deity is of Sanjeevi Vigraha Vimana design. Sages Upamanyu and Vyakrapada had the darshan of Lord in this temple.
Greatness Of Temple:
The temple ranks among the 108 Divya Desas of Perumal. Saint Tirumangai Azhwar has described Lord of the Temple as Lord Rama of Ayodhya in his Mangala Sasanam hymns, saying that benefits would accrue not only to the one chanting the glory of Lord but also to those listening the chanting. The belief is that issues of any complex nature would be solved if one performs Vishnu Sahasranama archana for 48 days continuously without any break and conclude the prayer with special archana and puja on the final day.
There are only two Purushothama temples, one in Karamanur near Tiruchi and the one here. Great Vaishnavite Acharya Sri Manavala Mamunigal stayed in Van Purushothama temple and served the Lord for two years. The temple has three Anjaneya shrines. In the Sri Rama shrine, He appears in a worshipping position with hands folded and mouth closed. The Tiruparkadal with crystal clear water without the green stuff (Paasi in Tamil) is north of this place. Perumal is very fond of Shenbaga flowers.
Temple History:
Similar to the story of Mother Parvathi feeding Saivite child saint Tirugnana Sambandar with wisdom milk, Lord Perumal brought here the very milk ocean itself to feed a hungry child. He is but Sirkali Lord Van Purushothaman. Devotees pray to Lord considering Him as Lord Sri Rama.
Sage Vyakrapada came to this temple with his child Upamanyu, placed him at the entrance of the temple and went to pick flowers for Lord. The child began to cry for food which fell in the ears of Lord reclining in the milk ocean. He immediately created a milk ocean in this place. Mother Purushothama Nayaki fed the child with the milk.
