When Devas and the demons churned the milk ocean to obtain the Nectar, Chandra appeared before Sree Mahalakshmi, hence enjoys the status as Her elder brother. He occupies the second place next to Sun in the planetary line. The other story is that he was born to Sage Athiri and his wife Anusuya, according to Puranas. Moon is handsome and is the disciple of Jupiter and well versed in scriptures. He conducted a yagna called Raja Suya which was attended by a huge number of Rishis and Thara wife of Jupiter. When they looked at each other in the event, Chandhran and Thara began to love each other. Shocked Deva Guru Jupiter reported this to Lord Vishnu and cursed his disciple with leprosy.
Meantime, a son was born to Moon and Dhara named Bhudhan ( The Planet Mercury ). As advised by Lord Vishnu, Moon returned Thara to his Guru. Later Budhan became one of the planets. Moon Committed His Next Mistake - He married the 27 daughters of Dakshan promising him that he would treat each one with equal love. But he did not. He was very fond of Rohini alone and ignored others. The aggrieved daughters approached their father Dakshan and narrated their condition. Angry Daksha cursed that his handsome face will depreciate day by day. Full moon began to face the impact of the curse.
Chandran had to suffer a double curse. To purify himself from his sins, Moon apologised and requested his Guru Brahaspati to suggest remedy and he was directed by his Guru to undergo a three phased parikaram. It was to appeal to the blessings of Lord Vishnu for punishment for his sins. Moon as the first step in his three phased parikaram, Moon undertook bath at the Chandra Pushkarani and performed poojas at Srirangam Divyadesam, Thiruindhalur Divyadesam and Thalaichangadu Kshetram and undertook severe penance invoking the blessings of Lord Vishnu who appeared here in a Chandra Vimanam along with Shengamalavalli Thaayar and liberated Moon fully from all his curses. Hence the Lord here is also referred to as Chandra Saabha Haran. Chandran then requested the Almighty to fulfill the wishes of the devotees who pray here in this temple, just as he did and to relieve them from the curses and Dhoshams.
Argument between Thirumangai and Parimala Ranganathar - Once Thirumangai Azhwar came down to worship Parimala Ranganathar here at Thiru Indhalur Divyadesam, the Almighty had an idea to play with Thirumangai and HE shut the doors. Alwar was not able to see the beauty of the Almighty reasoning that Alwar was late to the temple and the Darshan time was over. Disappointed Thirumangai got into an argument with the Almighty and told Him that he had come all the way to see HIS Beauty, since the doors was shut let HIM have all HIS beauty with himself and enjoy on HIS own. He also added that the whole world will talk ill about HIM as he shut the doors and not permitted the devotee who had come all the way to see HIM. But HE ignored everything and kept a long silence and told Alwar that he need not worry about all those things and HE will take care of all the ill feelings.
Eventhough Thirumangai attempted repeatedly to pacify Perumal so that to worship Him, all went in vain. Finally Alwar was about to leave without even praising Him. By sensing that Alwar may leave without any praise. Parimala Ranganathar asked him to praise on HIM. Alwar rejected HIS request and told HIM that when HE was not even allowed to see HIS beauty, he was not ready to praise. Almighty asked him if he was able to praise on other Perumals just by sitting in his own place, why not here in his temple?. Fnally compromised Thirumangai Alwar praised Lord Parimala Ranganathar with his 10 pasurams. and pleased Almighty gave him Darshan. Since Chandran underwent a penance, the place is being called in his name Thiru Indhalur - Indhu means Chandhran. Taking bath in Cauvery in Tamil Month of Aypasi is more sacred than bathing in Ganges |
