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Thiru Vazhundur, also called as Terezhundur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples. This is also the birthplace of Kamban (author of Kamba Ramayanam).<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>  

{{NeedCitation}}Thiru Vazhundur, also called as Terezhundur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples. This is also the birthplace of Kamban (author of Kamba Ramayanam).<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

=== Pride of Raja Uparisaravasu ===

=== Pride of Raja Uparisaravasu ===

The puranic legend tells that a Raja by name Uparisaravasu obtained unconditional boons of 'victory at any cost' on earth or sky from Brahma. One day in bloated vanity, he was flying his chariot with his queen. The queen expressed a desire to worship Perumal (Mahavishnu) but Uparisaravasu brushed aside her request. Not just that, even as he was flying on the chariot, the Raja ordered all visible objects to be destroyed. The misuse of his boon led to killing of all the cattle grazing on the ground. It was at this juncture that Garuda swung into action with his talons. Mahavishnu took the cudgel (stick | yashti) symbolic of Lord Krishna's compassion for animals against Uparisaravasu. Consequently, the Raja's chariot fell into the pushkarini and broke into pieces. Therefore, the name Terazhundur. However, on the advice of Agastya rishi, the Raja went to the temple of Terezhundur and sought refuge at the lotus feet of Vishnu there. Hence, at this shrine, one can see an idol of a cow and her calf along with the utsava murtis (processional idols), symbolic of Bhagavan's compassion towards cows. Talking of the purport in this story, Prof. S. Narayanan says, <blockquote>''"The omnipotent Lord sustains this vast universe, nay, and the whole cosmos. Everything works so meticulously, perfectly ! No human intellect can conceive how the myriad things and beings orchestrate themselves into the melody of  harmonious co-existence in this universe. One ought not to disturb this harmony by one's personal preference. If you choose to assert your individual ahamkara, the Lord then hands you the reins of control. Then you lose his grace and benevolence. Conversely, when you demolish your ahamkara and totally surrender to the scheme of things, you receive the Lord's benign grace. This is amplified by the legend."''<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>

The puranic legend tells that a Raja by name Uparisaravasu obtained unconditional boons of 'victory at any cost' on earth or sky from Brahma. One day in bloated vanity, he was flying his chariot with his queen. The queen expressed a desire to worship Perumal (Mahavishnu) but Uparisaravasu brushed aside her request. Not just that, even as he was flying on the chariot, the Raja ordered all visible objects to be destroyed. The misuse of his boon led to killing of all the cattle grazing on the ground. It was at this juncture that Garuda swung into action with his talons. Mahavishnu took the cudgel (stick | yashti) symbolic of Lord Krishna's compassion for animals against Uparisaravasu. Consequently, the Raja's chariot fell into the pushkarini and broke into pieces. Therefore, the name Terazhundur. However, on the advice of Agastya rishi, the Raja went to the temple of Terezhundur and sought refuge at the lotus feet of Vishnu there. Hence, at this shrine, one can see an murti or vigraha of a cow and her calf along with the utsava murtis (processional murti or vigrahas), symbolic of Bhagavan's compassion towards cows. Talking of the purport in this story, Prof. S. Narayanan says, <blockquote>''"The omnipotent Lord sustains this vast universe, nay, and the whole cosmos. Everything works so meticulously, perfectly ! No human intellect can conceive how the myriad things and beings orchestrate themselves into the melody of  harmonious co-existence in this universe. One ought not to disturb this harmony by one's personal preference. If you choose to assert your individual ahamkara, the Lord then hands you the reins of control. Then you lose his grace and benevolence. Conversely, when you demolish your ahamkara and totally surrender to the scheme of things, you receive the Lord's benign grace. This is amplified by the legend."''<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>

=== Brahma's Jest ===

=== Brahma's Jest ===

=== Vatapi and Villava ===

=== Vatapi and Villava ===

Yet another legend tells that the two demons Vatapi and Villava had a way of capturing unsuspecting human beings. It was their practice to invite a human being as a guest for partaking food. Vatapi, one of the demons, would be killed and served as a meal by the other demon Villava. After the meal Villava would call for Vatapi. Losing no time, Vatapi would tear open the stomach of the guest and come out. Thus with each passing day a villager would be killed and feasted on by the demons. The villagers then went to Agastya rishi for a solution. The next day Agastya rishi went as a guest to the house of the demons. Agastya rishi had his meal. And as soon as he finished his meal, he touched his stomach saying "vatapi jeerno bhava". With this, he actually ordered the demon Vatapi to be digested in his stomach. Thus, when Villava called out for his brother, Vatapi could not come out. However, to atone the killing of the demon, the rishi did a severe penance at this kshetra to Lord Devadiraja. To mark this incident, an idol of Agastya rishi is installed in the Mahamandapa of the temple.<ref name=":0" />   

Yet another legend tells that the two demons Vatapi and Villava had a way of capturing unsuspecting human beings. It was their practice to invite a human being as a guest for partaking food. Vatapi, one of the demons, would be killed and served as a meal by the other demon Villava. After the meal Villava would call for Vatapi. Losing no time, Vatapi would tear open the stomach of the guest and come out. Thus with each passing day a villager would be killed and feasted on by the demons. The villagers then went to Agastya rishi for a solution. The next day Agastya rishi went as a guest to the house of the demons. Agastya rishi had his meal. And as soon as he finished his meal, he touched his stomach saying "vatapi jeerno bhava". With this, he actually ordered the demon Vatapi to be digested in his stomach. Thus, when Villava called out for his brother, Vatapi could not come out. However, to atone the killing of the demon, the rishi did a severe penance at this kshetra to Lord Devadiraja. To mark this incident, an murti or vigraha of Agastya rishi is installed in the Mahamandapa of the temple.<ref name=":0" />   

=== River Kaveri's Prayer ===

=== River Kaveri's Prayer ===

Another legend has it that Agastya Maharishi, overcome by love and lust, wanted to marry River Kaveri. On her refusal, he imprisoned her in his kamandala. Lord Ganesha, the silent witness, came to Kaveri's rescue. Assuming the form of a crow, he pushed the kamandala with force and the water from the kamandala gushed out eastwards. However, the rishi cursed not only her but also the region through which she escaped. Kaveri in her turn prayed to Lord Devadiraja at Terazhundur seeking refuge. Responding to the call of a sincere devotee like Kaveri, Mahavishnu appeared and saved the situation. Thus, one can see Kaveri Mata in the Garbagrha in service to Bhagavan Devadiraja.<ref name=":0" />   

Another legend has it that Agastya Maharishi wanted to marry River Kaveri. On her refusal, he imprisoned her in his kamandala. Lord Ganesha, the silent witness, came to Kaveri's rescue. Assuming the form of a crow, he pushed the kamandala with force and the water from the kamandala gushed out eastwards. However, the rishi cursed not only her but also the region through which she escaped. Kaveri in her turn prayed to Lord Devadiraja at Terazhundur seeking refuge. Responding to the call of a sincere devotee like Kaveri, Mahavishnu appeared and saved the situation. Thus, one can see Kaveri Mata in the Garbagrha in seva (सेवा | selfless service) to Bhagavan Devadiraja.<ref name=":0" />   

=== Hymns by Thirumangai Azhwar ===

=== Hymns by Thirumangai Azhwar ===

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]

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