Kalamega-perumal at Thiru-Mogoor

Temple features:
Name of this place	Thiru-Mogoor
Deity in sanctum	Kalamega-perumal East facing standing pose
Consort of Vishnu in sanctum	Mohana-vallithayar
Deity for festivals	Thirumogoor-Aapthan
Consort for festivals	Thirumogoorvalli-Nachiyar
Tower is called	Kedhasa-vimanam
Holi tanks	Ksheerabthi-Pushmarini,Brahma-Theertham, Papanasa-Theertham Swargatwaratheertham, Naragasura-Theertham,and Paraman-Theertham.
Devotees who have seen the god here	Brahma, Indiran,Pulasthiyar,and Devas
Devotional song sung on the deity by	Thirumangai-alzhwar Namalzhwar, Manavala-Ma-Muni and Pillai Perumal- Iyangar.
Legend Sri Bramanda-puranam and Matsya puranam speak elaborately about this Vishnu abode. They say in ancient times that it was called Mohana-Kshetram. According to these puranas once all the devas went to Vishnu Loga. They all prayed to the lord and asked for the boon that they should not die for ever and remain immortal. Sri Mahavishnu granted them the boon. For this Vishnu told Brahma and the other gods that they should have a temporary truce with the demons. and the two sides should get together to churn the ocean. Vishnu would ensure that the devas benefited more from this churning of the ocean than the demons did. The truce was agreed upon and the two sides got ready to churn the ocean. The mountain Mandara was used as a churning rod and great snake Vasuki as the rope for churning. The devas grasped Vasuki’s tail and the demons grasped Vasuki’s head. As the churning began, the mountain Mandara which had no base, started to get immersed in the ocean. Lord Vishnu came to the rescue. He took the form of a turtle and the peak was raised and balanced on the turtle’s back. As the churning continued, terrible poison named kalakuta emerged from the depths of the ocean and was swallowed by Shiva. Shiva’s throat became blue from this poison and he is therefore known as Nilakantha, blue of throat. The goddess Varuni, the goddess of wine (sura), came out next. The gods readily accepted her and thus they came to be known as suras. But the demons rejected Varuni and were therefore known as asuras. She was followed by the Parijata tree, a beautiful tree that came to occupy the pride of place in Indra’s garden. A jewel named koustubha emerged and was accepted by Vishnu as his adornment. Three wonderful animals came out next - the cow Kapila, the horse Ucchaishrava and the elephant Airavata. They were followed by the apsaras, beautiful women who became the dancers in the heaven. They were known as apsaras because they emerged from ap (water). Finally the goddess Lakshmi or Shri came out next and was united with Vishnu Dhanvantari emerged with a pot of nector ( Amirtha the life - giving drink) in his hands. Dhanvantari was the originator of medicine (ayurveda). The demons led by Jambha gave half of the amrita to the devas and departed with the remaining half. But Vishnu quickly took the form of a beautiful woman. So beautiful was the woman that the demons were charmed. “Pretty lady,” they said. “ take this amrita and serve it to us. Marry us.” Vishnu accepted the amrita, but he had no intention of giving it to the demons. He served it to the gods instead. There was only one demon who was somewhat clever. His name was Rahu. He disguised himself in the the form of Chandra, the moon-god, and succeeded in drinking some of the amrita. The sun-god and the moon-god noticed what was happening and reported it to Vishnu. Vishnu thereupon cut off Rahu’s head with a sword. But Rahu had drunk the amrita, so he could not die. He prayed to Vishnu and Vishnu granted him a boon. The boon was that occasionally Rahu would be permitted to swallow up the sun and the moon.You can see this happening at the time of the solar and the lunar eclipses. People who give alms during such eclipses are blessed. The gods obtained the amrita and the demons did not. Thus, the gods became immortal Because the Lord incarnated as Mohini this place came to be known as Mohini-Kshetram. Later this name has been changed as Mogoor.   Om Sreem Narayanaya Namo Namaha   Location: This temple is located 2 kms from Madurai enroute to Thiru-vathavoor in Tamilnadu. Buses and taxis are available from Madurai                                 Home