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The ancient shrine of Sirupuliyur is the abode of Mahavishnu known here as Arulma Kadal Amudan, the one as sweet as divine nectar. He is also known as Krpa Samudran - Ocean of Compassion. Infact, not just ordinary mortals, even devas like Brahma and Shiva are said to have realised His compassion. Sri Lakshmi is adored as Thirumamagal and as Dayanayaki here. The vimana, that stands above the sanctum is known as Vatla Vimana. While the pushkarni is known as Anantha pushkarni and Manasa pushkarni. The sthala vrksha here is the bilva tree.  

The ancient shrine of Sirupuliyur is the abode of Mahavishnu known here as Arulma Kadal Amudan, the one as sweet as divine nectar. He is also known as Krpa Samudran - Ocean of Compassion. Infact, not just ordinary mortals, even devas like Brahma and Shiva are said to have realised His compassion. Sri Lakshmi is adored as Thirumamagal and as Dayanayaki here. The vimana, that stands above the sanctum is known as Vatla Vimana. While the pushkarni is known as Anantha pushkarni and Manasa pushkarni. The sthala vrksha here is the bilva tree.  

In this shrine, Mahavishnu is seen in bhujanga shayana posture similar to His form in Tirupparkadal (the milky ocean). And just like [[Srirangam]], this temple also faces south. This is the characteristic feature of this temple. It is said that all devotee's prayers are answered here. And thus, this kshetra is also known as Thapa Prasiddha Sthala. It is said that, Thirumangai Alwar has composed not less than ten pasurams on the beauty of Perumal in this kshetra.   

In this shrine, Mahavishnu is seen in bhujanga shayana posture similar to His form in Tirupparkadal (the milky ocean). And just like [[Srirangam]], this temple also faces south. This is the characteristic feature of this temple. It is said that all devotee's prayers are answered here. And thus, this kshetra is also known as Thapa Prasiddha Sthala. It is said that, Thirumangai Alwar    

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|+Sirupuliyur at a glance<ref>Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>

|+Sirupuliyur at a glance<ref>Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>

== Legends ==

== Legends ==

Garuda puran and Brahmanda puran bring out the Lord's gallant deeds. the place acquired religious importance when sage Pulikkal Munivar did penance in this temple during Puranic times. Rich both in history and legend It is stated in sthalapuran that th eminent sages performed penance a4 worshipped the Lord in all his forms and glory. Again Bhrigu Maharishi was at once blessed by the wonderfill supreme Lord at this shrine, ti , Thirumangai Alwar a one time bandit Ttohoikrefuge at the feet of the Lord here. So the Lord is also known as Saranagathi Rakshaka.  

Garuda purana and Brahmanda purana are said to bring out Mahavishnu's heroic deeds here. Rich both in history and legend, the sthalapurana states that eminent sages performed penance and worshipped Mahavishnu in all his forms and glory here. While the sage Pulikkal Munivar is known to have done penance in this temple during Puranic times, Bhrigu Maharishi was also at once blessed by the supreme Lord at this very shrine. Thirumangai Alwar, who has composed not less than ten pasurams on the beauty of Perumal in this kshetra was once a bandit. He took refuge at the feet of the Lord and so Mahavishnu is also known as Saranagathi Rakshaka.  

Several centuries ago during the great wave of religious devotion there lived a muni always singing God's name. As the rays of the sun fell on the daffodils he felt the grace of the Lord inundate his heart. As dawn meets day and as Ganga flows into the sea he was also drawn to God realisation. He obtained rare boons from Lord Shiv: To keep pace with time he was graced with the legs and eyes of a tiger by Lord Shiv. When he sought moksha Lord Shiv directed him to this kshetra and the muni worshipped Arulmakadal in bhujanga sayana. The icons of Vyagapatramuni and Kanvamuni are enshrined in the sanctum.

Another legend goes thus:  

The Lord here is manifested in a small tiny form in Bhujanga sayana. Thirumangai Alwar was disappointed with the small image of the Lord. Without losing time the Lord obliged him at Thirukannamangai in a larger than life image and a gigantic form.*

Several centuries ago, during the great wave of religious devotion, there lived a muni always singing Mahavishnu's name. As the rays of the sun fell on the daffodils, he felt the grace of the Lord overwhelm his heart. And as dawn meets day and as Ganga flows into the sea, he was also naturally drawn towards the need to realisation. Lord Shiva then bestowed him with the legs and eyes of a tiger so as to help him keep pace with time. And when the muni sought moksha, he was directed to this kshetra where the muni worshipped Arulmakadal perumal in bhujanga sayana. This muni is none other than Pulkaal Munivar. In the remembrance of this legend, the icon of Vyaghrapatamuni (Pulikaal munivar) is enshrined in the sanctum. The sanctum also has the icon of Kanvamuni 

 

As the name Sirupuliyur suggests, Mahavishnu manifests here in a small tiny form of Bhujanga sayana. However, Thirumangai Alwar was disappointed with the small image of the Lord and hence, without losing time, Mahavishnu obliged him by taking abode also at Thirukannamangai where he has a larger than life image and a gigantic form.  

== References ==

== References ==