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|Pushkarini is named  

|Pushkarini is named  

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|Surya Pushkarini

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|Theertha is called  

|Theertha is called  

=== Structure ===

=== Structure ===

This temple though devoid of the pyramidal tower (gopuram) is endowed with the customary Bali pitha, Dvajasthambha and Garuda Sannidhi. In the temple complex, right at the entrance is a separate shrine for Thirumangai Alwar and to the left is the Sannidhi for Goddess Lakshmi (the embodiment of wealth and grace). 

This temple though devoid of the pyramidal tower (gopuram) is endowed with the customary Bali pitha, Dvajasthambha and Garuda Sannidhi. In the temple complex, right at the entrance is a separate shrine for Thirumangai Alwar and to the left is the Sannidhi for Goddess Lakshmi (the embodiment of wealth and grace).<ref name=":0" /> 

=== Legends ===

== Legends of Thiru Thanjai ==

Having bathed in the waters of penance, Parasara muni surrendered meekly unto the Lord and built an ashram with his loving devotion. He was engrossed in divine knowledge together with humility, bhakti and love. He began to regard the Lord as his very own and would always be in the contemplation of the Lord day and night. Always yearning for the Lord, he composed sweet verses in praise of the Lord. He dedicated himself completely to the Lord's will longing for his vision. In course of time, the hermitage came to be known as Parasara Kshetra. 

Interesting legends surround the Thiru Thanjai kshetra. Some of them have been enumerated below. 

When the milky ocean was churned, Parasara muni was one of the rishis, who got for himself Amrutha from Vishnu as a reward for his devotion. The muni brought the Amrutha to the Parasara Kshetra and spilt it into the temple pushkarni. Thus the temple tank rightly earned the name Amruthavarthini. Thus the beings and disciples of Parasara muni prospered in the region of plenty. Then came a natural calamity, a terrible draught lasting for twelve long years. Because of its divine association the only place not affected was Parasara Kshetra. 

Thiru Thanjai is also named Parashara Kshetra after the great Parashara. It is said that after performing years of penance, Parasara muni surrendered unto the Lord Mahavishnu and built an ashram with his loving devotion. Though endowed with divine knowledge, he was filled with humility, bhakti and love. He would see the Lord as his very own and always be in His contemplation day and night. His constant yearning for the Lord, gave rise to him composing sweet verses in praise of the Lord as he dedicated himself completely to the Lord's will, longing for his darshana. In due course of time, it was this hermitage that came to be known as Parashara Kshetra. 

As was feared by devas, the three demons having heard of this miracle came to Parasara kshetra and polluted the temple tank. They in turn regained their strength manifold. With their evil thoughts and habits they troubled the Muni and his disciples endlessly.  

At the time of churning of the milky ocean, Parasara muni was one of the rishis, who got Amrutha for himself from Mahavishnu as a reward for his devotion. He brought the Amrutha to the Parashara Kshetra and spilt it into the temple pushkarni. Thus, the temple pond rightly earned the name Amruthavardhini. Even when there was a terrible draught lasting for twelve long years, because of its divine association, the only place that did not get affected was the Parashara Kshetra. 

On the advice of Brahma the Muni beseeched the help of Lord Shiva. To quell the demons Lord Shiva sent Chandikadevi. On seeing the Devi, Dhandakan rained showers of arrows. But as she killed the demons the other demons would sprinkle water from the pushkarni and infuse new life into the dead bodies. So it was a fight without an end. At this juncture, Lord Vishnu appeared and distilled the Amrutha from the water tank. 

=== Mahavishnu and the Three Demons ===

Three demons Dhandakan, Tanjakan and Tarakan heard of the above mentioned miracle at Pushkarini, came to the Parasara kshetra and polluted the temple tank as was feared by devas. Having done so, they also regained their strength manifold. And with their evil thoughts and habits, they troubled Parashara Muni and his disciples endlessly.  

The asura Tanjakan charged on Vishnu with all sorts of deadly weapons. The encounter between the two was terrible to behold. The thrust that he made was terrific to look at.  

Parashara Muni then appealed to Lord Shiva on the advice of Brahma, for help . Lord Shiva sent Chandika devi to put an end to the demons. On seeing the Devi, Dhandakan rained showers of arrows. And as Devi marched forward through it killing the demons, the other demons in the battlefield would sprinkle water from the pushkarini and infuse new life into the dead bodies. This made the fight an endless phenomenon. At this juncture, Lord Vishnu appeared and distilled the Amrutha from the water tank to stop the demons from regaining life. 

The fierce battle that followed between the two was appalling. Tanjakan was raining arrows. At one point, he with his demonic powers transformed as an elephant came rushing towards the Lord with the Sala tree in his trunk. Displaying exemplary courage and character and standing tall amongst the ruins, the Lord unfazed by the demon, turned back the tide leaving the demon tottering. The Lord brought the curtains down in style with substance and with touches of divine. Dressed in battle fatigues, finally with his Sankalpa the Lord transformed as Narasimha, pressed the demon on his lap. At this juncture the demon surrendered to the Lord seeking refuge with a profound desire that the Lord should reside at Thanjai in the very same Narasimha avatar. He also wanted the place to be glorified as Thanjavur in his memory. Lord, merciful as ever, promised to fulfil his death wish and assured him that he shall always be at Thanjai. The Lord closed all the escape routes and the other demon, Dhandakan was killed by the Lord in a Varaha form after a hot chase. The Lord alone stood victoriously among the ruins. Chandika Devi succeeded in slaving Tharakan and the Lord conferred on her the title EkaVeera. Parasara prayed to the Lord to continue to star at Thanjai. Lord immediately obliged his saintly devotee and enshrined at Thanjai as Neelamegha PerumaL•

Seeing this, the asura Tanjakan charged on Lord Vishnu with all sorts of deadly weapons and their encounter became extremely terrible to behold. At one point, Tanjakan with his demonic powers transformed into an elephant and came rushing towards the Lord with the Shala tree in his trunk. It is said that the Lord, displaying exemplary courage and character and standing tall amongst the ruins unfazed by the demon, turned back the tide leaving the demon tottering. Finally, the Lord with the power of his Sankalpa transformed as Narasimha and pressed the demon on his lap. However, the demon surrendered to the Lord seeking refuge. He expressed a profound desire that the Lord should reside at Thanjai in the very same Narasimha avatara and that the place should be named as Thanjavur in his memory. And Mahavishu, merciful as ever, assured him with a promise to stay at Thanjai.

 

The Lord also closed all the escape routes of the other demon Dhandakan and killed him in the Varaha form. And as the Lord stood victorious, Chandika Devi also in the meanwhile succeeded in enslaving Tarakan and was conferred with the title Eka Veera. Parashara Muni then prayed to the Lord to continue to stay at Thanjai and the Lord too immediately obliged his devotee and took residence at Thanjai as Neelamegha Perumal.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

== References ==

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