| Description This Divya
Desam is one of the Sethu Stalams,
on the coast of Tamilnadu, linked with the Ramayana. It is also known as Darbhasayanam. It
is located at Tiruppullaani, near Ramanathapuram. Deities: The
Moolavar here is Kalyana Jagannathan or Aadi Jagannathan in a standing posture facing
east; Chakravarti Tirumagan in a reclining posture facing east .(Kadaladaitta Perumaal)
and Taayaars here are Padmasini and Kalyanavalli. There are two shrines here one
enshrining Rama in the Darbasayana pose, signifying his resting here and invoking Varuna
for help in crossing the ocean, enroute to Sri Lanka in search of Sita and another shrine
to Pattabhirama.
Legends: Rama is said to have blessed Kanva Rishi with a divine bow.
Aadi Sethu, the bathing ghats on the ocean - is located at a distance of 2 km from here.
Devipatnam nearby houses the Nava Pashana shrines, representing the Nava Grahams,
worshipped by Rama. Belief has it that barren women beget progeny upon worshipping at
Devipatnam and Tiruppullani and residing here. The name Pullaani arises from the legend
that Vishnu appeared here under the Aswatha tree, in response to prayers by Pulla
Maharishi, hence the name Pullaranyam. Legend has it that Rama worshipped Jagannathar
before setting out to battle Ravana, and hence the Jagannathar shrine is considered
equivalent to the Srirangam temple. This shrine is also said to represent the site where
Vibhishana surrendered to Rama.
The Pattabhi Rama shrine represents Rama's pointing out to Sita, the spot where he
rested (while he returned to Ayodhya with her).
Legends related to this shrine are referenced in the Agneya puranam. This ancient
shrine has also been mentioned in the Sangam period tamil work Akanaanooru.
The temple: This temple with two prakarams covers an area of about 1.5
acres and is crowned with a 120 feet high gopuram. The Ramanathapuram Royal family has
patronized the temple as evidenced from several stone and metal inscriptions.
Festivals: Four worship services are carried out here. The annual
festivals are celebrated in the months of Pankuni (Aadi Jagannatha) and Chittirai
(Pattabhirama) and the Adhyayanotsavam in Margazhi. |
