Tiruvaikuntha Vinnagaram

The legend of this kshethram tells the tale of a king named Shwetaketu. Shwetaketu was said to have reached the gates of Karya-Vaikuṇṭham(A replica of Sri Vaikuṇṭham and is regarded to be the penultimate stage in one's journey to reach moksham), but is said to have felt hunger. At this point, the king began to question why this was happening, as when one becomes eligible to enter Vaikuṇṭham, they are supposed to be rid of all worldly senses, such as hunger and thirst.

To have his problem resolved, the king visited Nārada to find out why he was still feeling hungry. Nārada told the king that during his lifetime, he had not performed the charitable duties of a king. Thus, he was still feeling worldly sensations. Nārada advised the king to perform tapas at Nāgavanam ( Nāga in Sanskrit means elephant.

In connection with Tirumanimada Kovil's sthala purāṇam, Airavatha is said to have performed tapas here at Tirunangur to the Lord to redeem himself, as he had insulted Mahālakshmī without knowing that he had done so. Nāgavanam, over time, has become Nangur.) to convince the Lord that he was worthy of attaining moksham. Thus, the king's aathma is said to have descended to Bhūlokam and performed tapas here at this kshethram to gain moksham. The Lord appeared as he would appear at Karya-Vaikuṇṭham and granted moksham to the king.

It is said that Utaṅka Maharshi guided the soul to the Lord.

Tirumangai Āzhwār: 10 Pāsurams