Parimala Ranganatha Temple of Tiruindalur



 Happy Janmashtami to all of you! May Lord Krishna continue to guide us in the right direction always!

Today we will be reading about a Divya Desham of Maha Vishnu that is closely associated with the ritual of fasting for Ekadashi. The temple is called Parimala Ranganathar temple and is located in Thiruindalur village of Mayiladuthrai, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Maha Vishnu in the form of Parimala Ranganathan and His consort is Devi Ranganaayaki. 

King Ambarisha was a pious and devoted king and followed the fasting ritual on Ekadashi rigorously. It was the occasion of his 100th Ekadashi and he had spent the day in dedication to Lord Narayana without intaking any food or water. The next day being Dwadashi, he had chosen an auspicious time to break his fast. On completing his morning ablutions, he was about to break his fast when Rishi Durvasa visited him. A wise king reveres spirituality and wisdom above all. Ambarisha offered food to Rishi Durvasa who told him to wait till he took bath in the river. 

Ambarisha waited anxiously. The other sages of his kingdom reminded him that the time for breaking his fast was swiftly passing by, and his Ekadashi fasting would remain ineffective if he did not intake food at the prescribed time. The sages recommended the king to atleast drink some water so that the fast would be considered as fulfilled. The king obliged. 

Rishi Durvasa saw the king breaking his fast and got angry. Out of a lock of his hair, the Rishi created a dreadful creature who set out to kill the king. Lord Narayana who considered Ambarisha as his devotee, sent out His Sudarshana Chakra to destroy the creature. The Chakra also humbled the Rishi who realized that Ambarisha had the protection of Maha Vishnu Himself. 

Ambarisha requested Maha Vishnu to stay in his kingdom forever. Thus the deities of Parimala Ranganatha and Ranganaayaki came to be consecrated in the place where the temple stands today. 

As per another legend, Thirumangai Alvar visited the temple once but the doors of the temple were locked. He sang many songs in praise of Ranganatha but the doors did not open. In frustration and grief, the Alvar saint told Ranganatha to keep the temple for Himself when the doors finally opened. Thus Ranganatha lives in the temple, gracing the devotees in Shayanam posture. 

The temple has an impressive five-tier Rajagopuram. There are images of the river goddesses Kaveri and Ganga, along with an image of Santhana Gopalakrishnan.  There are also shrines for Yoga Narsimhar, Shri Ram, Anjaneyar and the Navagrahas Surya and Chandra. 

People who wish to start the ritual of Ekadashi fasting come here to take the blessings of the Lord.

Om Namo Narayana! Om Devyai Namaha!

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