Thirupavalavannam

Thirupavalavannam is traditionally enumerated as number 71 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

The temple of Pavala Vannar is near Kanchipuram railway station and is close to Kamakshi Amman Temple. The presiding deity viz., Pavalavannar dwells under Pavala Vimana. He is in a sitting posture on the divine couch of the five headed Adisesha and is facing west; one foot is bent majestically at a right angle, almost upto His waist. His celestial conch, wheel and abhayahasta mudra are also seen.

The puranas say that the Lord assumes different complexions in different yugas. In Tretayuga, the people, are supposed to have sattvaguna with a liking for white colour. So the Lord in Tretayuga assumed a form with a milky white colour viz., Svetavama. In Kritayuga He assumed red colour like coral and hence was known as Pavalavannar. In Dvaparayuga, He assumed green colour like emerald and hence was known as Pachaivannar or Marakatha Vannar. In Kaliyuga, He is seen in His natural blue complexion viz., Syamalavarna.

It is said that once upon a time, the Rishis of Naimisaranya were performing a sacrifice for the general welfare of mankind. The celestial sage, Narada, visited the place and requested them to offer the fruits of their sacrifice to anyone, amongst the Holy Trinity viz. Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, who possessed the highest sattvik trait: The rishis were unable to decide as to who among the Holy Trinity excelled in Sattvaguna. They requested Bhrigu Maharishi to give them a decision after verifying the attributes of the Holy Trinity. Bhrigu Maharishi went to Satyaloka, the

abode of Lord Brahma. Brahma was busy in a private conversation with Goddess Sarasvati. He failed to notice the arrival of Bhrigu Maharishi. Bhrigu Maharishi got annoyed. He cursed Brahma and said that Lord Brahma would not be worshipped in any temple on earth. The rishi then went to Mount Kailas, where Lord Siva was in the company of His consort, Goddess Parvati. He also failed to notice the visit of the rishi. The rishi got annoyed and he cursed that Lord Siva would never be worshipped in His human form and that He would be worshipped in the abstract in the form of a Lingam. Finally, the rishi went to Vaikuntham, where Lord Vishnu was lying down on Adisesha in yogic sleep. He did not also notice the arrival of the rishi. The rishi got angry and kicked Lord Vishnu on His chest with his foot. Lord Vishnu immediately woke up from His yogic sleep. Instead of getting angry, He caught hold of the feet of the rishi, massaged it gently and asked the rishi whether his feet were hurt. Bhrigu maharishi then realised it was Lord Vishnu who had the utmost sattvaguna, as even under the worst of provocations, He maintained His calm.