KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2010

AZHAGAR KOVIL PART II

PART 2- MADURAI- AZHAGAR

North of madurai is Vrishabhachalam. The Lord of kallars( kallar is a caste in TamilNadu) called kallazhagar lives there admist the dense forests. Once a sage by name Manduka did severe penance immersing himself in the river Kruthamala. One day Azhagar rode on a horse back . He was beautifully dressed up and bedecked with golden ornaments. He came to the river Vaigai and entered the river so as to quench his thurst. The sage Manduka, wonderstruck at the sight of this handsome young man, left his penance mid way and questioned him. “ Who are you, Young man”? .The Lord replies” Iam the leader of the kallars here. My name is Sundarabahu. I was hunting all this while and suddenly came upon this place. Iam fortunate to see such a sage. But may I know why you are immersed in this water like a mandukam( frog). The sage replied “ Oh Lord May you not cheat me. I know that you the Lord of Lords.Please give me your divyadarshanam. Iam tired of this samsara. You must give me moksha. By your grace alone it can be achieved. The Lord immediately showed the sage his divine form. Bearing the conch and chakra, like a rain bearing cloud as the Lord shows His resplendent form, the sage manduka praises the Lord. He does a Vedanthagarbhitha sthothra. This became Maandukyopanishad because it was made by sage Manduka. The Lord gives moksha to the sage as requested. He went back to azhagar malai on his horse back. Those who visit this shrine are sure to get liberation. This uthsava ( the Lord going to river Vaigai on horse back) is celebrated even today. Lakhs of people attend this uthsava and return with fulfilled desires.