The Legend for the Name Tulasi Vanam
Once Tulsi underwent a penance here and requested the Almighty that as HE was bearing Goddess Lakshmi Devi in HIS chest, she also wanted the blessing like that. Lord was pleased and told that Goddess occupied HIS chest only after the deep penance and also added that very soon Goddess Lakshmi would be going to born as a child in Bhoologam. and asked Tulsi also to go prior to Goddess and do penance in Thiruvinnagar Divyadesam - Oppiliappan Koil.
During that time Sage Margandeyar - Son of Mirugandu Mahirishi worshipped the Almighty and desired for the Boon that Goddess Lakshmi should born as his Daughter and HE should become his Son-in-Law. Pleased Paranthaman offered him the boon what he desired. Margandeyar reached this temple and underwent a deep penance for 1000s of years. One fine day he found a female child in Thulasi Vanam ( Garden with full of Tulsi ). He possessed the child and took care of her. The young girl reached the adolescent age. One day an Old Man approached the sage and said that he wanted to marry his daughter.
Margandeyar replied that she is too young and she was not even comfortable to prepare the food with adeqaute salt. But the old man responded that even if his daughter makes food without salt He will accept. Without knowing what to do, Sage sought the help of Almighty. He then realized because of his Thabobhalam - Gnana Drushti that the Old Man was none other than the Lord Maha Vishnu and his Daughter is Goddess Lakshmi Devi. When he opened his eyes Lord gave him His Darshan with his Conch and Discus ( Sangu and Chakra ) as HE Blesses in Vaikundham. Sage regretted and immediately performed the Kannigadhaanam ( The Marrige ) of her daughter to the Almighty.
Since He married a young child who was not even know how to prepare the food with adequate salt, Almighty told that here in Oppiliyappankoil HE accepts Naivedhyam Only without Salt. No one should never ever take eatables as Naivedhyam for any reasons containing salt inside Oppiliappan Koil if any one does by knowingly he will suffer in the Hell. |