Tirucherai

According to legend, it is believed that Mārkaṇḍeya Maharshi and Kāvēri Thāyār meditated upon Lord Vishṇu. It is also believed that Brahmā made a clay pot to rescue and preserve the Vedas during pralaya, but none of the pots made by Brahmā would last. Thereupon, he was directed by Lord Vishṇu to proceed to Tirucherai (Saarakshethram) and make a pot out of the clay on the banks of Kāvēri, and thus the Vedas were protected in a pot made out of tough mud at this place. Another legend recounts a feud between the Gaṅgā and Kāvēri rivers.

It is said that seven rivers were meditating at the foothills of the Vindhya hills. At this moment, a Gandharva is said to have appeared and paid his respects to the devis. The question then arose: seven women were present, but to whom did the Gandharva pay his respects? Gaṅgā and Kāvēri started to argue. Gaṅgā claimed that she was a greater entity than Kāvēri. To solve this feud, both of the devis went to Lord Brahmā. Lord Brahmā, in a bias, declared that Gaṅgā was a greater entity than Kāvēri.

Kāvēri wanted to be the greatest river and hence performed penance to the Lord here at Tirucherai. The Lord appeared and showed her Vishwaroopa Darshanam, but this did not satisfy her. The Lord then showed her His form as He appears in Shri Vaikuṇṭham and told her that soon He would lie in Bujanga Shayanam at Shri Raṅgam, and she would flow by His Tiruvadi (His holy lotus feet) until the end of Kāli Yuga, thereby making her a greater entity than Gaṅgā.

Tirumangai Āzhwār – 13 Pāsurams