Sri Sowndhara-Rajaperumal at Nagappatinam

Features of this temple
Name of this place	Nagapattinam
The poses of the deity	Lying pose, Sitting pose and standing pose
Other names for this place	Krishnaranyam and Sowndraranyam
Deity in sanctum	Sowndara-Rajaperumal ( north facing Standingpose)
Idol for festivals	Sowndhara Rajaperumal
Consort of Vishnu in sanctum	Sowndaravalli
Devi for festival	Nagai Alagiyar
Tower is called	Badrakoti-vimanam
Temple tree	Mango
Holi tanks	Sarapushkarani and Sowndarya pushkarini
Those who saw Vishnu in this temple in four yugas	Duruva and Aadhishesha in Krithayuga Boomi devi in Tredhayuga Markandeya Rishi in Dwaparayuga Salisuga raja and Nagaraja in present Kaliyuga.
Devotional songs on the deity sung by	Thiru-Mangai-Alvar

Legend:

The King of serpents Adisesha felt a desire to be with Maha Vishnu always. Hence he came to Sowndra- aranyam and began to do penance on the banks of Sara-pushkarini tank .He did penance for long years. Sri vishnu appeared before him and asked for his wishes. Adisesha told Vishnu about his desire to be with him always. Sri vishnu granted his wishes and said that Adisesha could be his 'Sarpa-Aasanam' (seat of snake ).The serpant king happily accepted this . From that day he became Sri vishu's Sarpa-Aasanam. Prince Durva was the son of King Utthanapadhan of the kingdom of South India. Once Prince Durva sat on his father's lap. The prince had a step mother. As soon as the step mother's son saw Durva on his father's lap he pulled Durva away and he sat on his father's lap.
The Prince Durva could not stand the insult and went to a forest where he met Sage Naradha. He told the sage about his sad story. Naradha told the Prince to go to Sowndra Aaranyam in Nagapattinam and do penance to Lord Vishnu. Accordingly he went to Sowndhara-aranyam and did panance for many years.Lord Vishnu appeared before him and asked for his vishes. The prince requested that Vishnu should stay in Sowndhara-aranyam as he appeared before him (Sundara swaroopam). Secondly he wished to have 'Moksham'. Sri Vishnu told the prince that he would stay there according to his wish. But for the second wish of the Prince Durva Vishnu said that he would rule over the kingdom wisely and the end of his life Durva would be a star and glitter in the sky.
It is said even today one can see the Durva Nakshatram in the sky.( North star)
Sri vishnu took abode in Nagappattinam as Durva wished and the diety is named Sowndhiraraja-perumal.

Om Namo Lakshimi Narayanaya Namaha

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