Tiruvanvandoor

At the time of creation, Lord Brahmā is said to have summoned his four sons, the Sanathkumaras, for a deliberation session to discuss what had to go into creation. It is said that his four sons refused to attend this session on the advice of Devarishi Nārada, who instructed them to meditate upon Lord Vishṇu rather than waste their time in unwanted deliberation. Thus, Lord Brahmā summoned Devarishi Nārada and cursed him to wander the three worlds, aimlessly preaching about the Lord.

When the Devarishi arrived at this kshethram, he is said to have meditated upon the Lord here and requested Him to write a Purana. Thus, this kshethram is the site where Naradeeya Purāṇam was written. Another story recounts the tale of Mārkaṇḍeya Maharshi, who sought to see the Lord in His true form. Thus, Mārkaṇḍeya Maharshi is said to have meditated upon the Lord here. The Lord is said to have appeared in front of Mārkaṇḍeya Maharshi and inhaled him.

In the nose of the Lord, Mārkaṇḍeya Maharshi is said to have seen the entire process of creation and destruction of the whole universe, along with the Lord's form as a baby(His miracles as a child in His Krishna Avataram) to His Vishwaroopam form.

Nam Āzhwār: 10 Pāsurams