Tirukurungudi

The Sthala Purāṇam of this kshethram is found in Varāha Purāṇam. It is known as Kaishika Maahathmiyam. Kaishika Ekādashī is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Kaarthigai on the succeeding Ekādashī in the Sukla Paksham. This is named after the Kaishika Purāṇam, which is the 48th Chapter in the Sri Varāha Purāṇam. The message behind the day reinforces the fact that caste is not a hindrance in attaining the lotus feet of Shrīmān Nārāyaṇa, and true Bhakti alone is enough.

This story took place in the Divyadesam of Thirukurungudi, one of the Nava Tirupati in Thirunelveli. Nambaduvaan was born in a low chandala kulam but was a devotee of Shrīmān Nārāyaṇa. On every Ekādashī, he observed Vratham, sleeping not a single night, singing the glory of the Lord, and thinking about Him. On one Karthigai Ekādashī, Nambaduvaan left for the Kuruṅgudi Nambi temple to observe his fast and recite some Pāsurams using various Paan on Sri Kuruṅgudi Nambi. On his way, Nampāḍuvān was confronted by a Brahmā Rākshasa.

This Rākshasa, who has been starved of food, tells Nampaaduvaan that he would devour him. Nampāḍuvān humbly requests that he has the duty of nama sankeerthanam. Nampāḍuvān pleads with the rakshas that he would return after his vratham and darshan of Kuruṅgudi Nambi. He promises that he would indeed return; he mentions the various sins that he would incur if he were not to return. But for none of Nampāḍuvān's promises, Brahmarākshasa was not satisfied.

At last, Nambaduvaan promised that "Whoever thinks/says that Supreme Lord Shrīmān Nārāyaṇan is equivalent/on par with or inferior to other devathas, that paaapam would catch me!" After hearing this, Brahmā Rākshasa was moved and impressed by such a firm promise and said, 'Now I believe in you; you can go now and return soon.' I will wait for you till your return." Nambaduvaan happily went to Sri Kuruṅgudi temple, observed his jakratha vratham, and completed his vratham with singular determination. He returned as stated to Brahmarākshasa.

Nampāḍuvān went and offered himself to the Rākshasa. But his hunger had vanished, and instead, he was moved by the truthfulness of the Vishṇu devotee. The Brahmā Rākshasa then told his story – he was a Brāhmiṇ who had been cursed to become a Brahmā Rākshasa by his elders because he had not performed the yajnas carefully. The Rākshasa then asked Nampāḍuvān to give the reward of one of his prayers so that he could get liberation. Hearing the pleas of the Brahmarākshasa, Nambaduvan said that he never sang for any palam.

However, he will still request Thirukurungudi Nambi to absolve the Brahmarākshasa of his sins. Nambi gives the palam of the last pāsuram and relieves Brahmarākshasa of its sins. This story strongly reiterates that true Bhakti is sufficient to attain Him, and a person's caste is entirely insignificant. It is believed that those who read or listen to 'Kaishika Purana' on that day will be showered with the Lord's abundant mercy! The story of Nampāḍuvān is narrated and acted in Vishṇu Temples in South India on the Kaishika Ekādashī.

Sri Parasara Bhattar chanted the Kaishika Purāṇam before Lord Ranganatha, and this tradition continues to date with the descendants of Bhattar chanting the purāṇam on Kaishika Dvādashī day at Shrīraṅgam each year. Kaishika Ekādashī is considered even more significant to Vaishṇavas than Vaikuṇṭha Ekādashī, as it implies the steadfast Bhakti towards Shrīmān Nārāyaṇa and His abundant mercy on His devotees.

Vaishṇava Nambi Temple

Thirukurungudi Sri Vaishṇava Nambi Dhivya Sevai in Kaishika Maṇḍapam

This kshethram is one of the most important of all the Divyadesams. The following summarizes the importance of this kshethram: 1) It is said that Swāmy Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya wanted uniformity in the way rituals were conducted throughout South India. To achieve this, he is said to have traveled to Tiruvanantapuram to plead with the Nambudri priests to follow practices as per the Pancharatra Āgama Shāstras.

It is said that the Nambudri priests pleaded with Ananthapadmanabha Swāmy to allow their prevailing traditions, which were being followed, to continue throughout Kerala. It is said that in the middle of the night, when Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya was asleep, Kuruṅgudi Nambi Swāmy is said to have brought Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya here to this kshethram. When Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya awoke in the morning, he is said to have had a conversation with the Lord.

The Lord tells Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya that he has accomplished what He could not achieve in all His births. The Lord asks to be initiated into Sri Vaishṇavism by Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya. Bhagavad Rāmānujāchārya is said to have performed the Pancha-Samskara for the Lord here, thereby bestowing upon Him the name Sri Vaishṇava Nambi. 2) It is said that Nam Āzhwār's parents came to this kshetram to pray for the birth of a child. The Lord is said to have had a conversation with Nam Āzhwār's parents, asking them what kind of child they desired.

The parents are said to have asked for a child who is just like the Lord Himself. As none in this universe is like the Lord, it is said that the Lord Himself incarnated as Nam Āzhwār. 3) This is the kshethram where Tirumangai Āzhwār attained Paramapadam. There is a shrine here for Tirumangai Āzhwār.

Mahendragiri

There is a mention of this kshethram in the Rāmāyaṇa. It is said that Hanumān jumped from Mahendragiri Parvatham to fly to Sri Lanka in search of Sītā, the wife of Lord Rāma. Mahendragiri Parvatham is located within this kshethram. This is also the site of the Malai Mel Nambi Temple.