13-05-2025
Devotees throng Thenur Mandapam to witness Lord Kallazhagar redeeming Mandooga Maharishi from his curse
Thousands of devotees thronged Thenur Mandapam on Vaigai river on Tuesday to witness Lord Kallazhagar redeeming Mandooga Maharishi from his curse.
Lord Kallazhagar, who entered the Vaigai river on Monday, reached Thenur Mandapam by noon on Tuesday on Sesha Vahanam after an overnight stay at Veera Raghava Perumal Temple at Vandiyur.
Special pujas were performed at Thenur Mandapam amid chants from devotees. The deity gave darshan to the devotees who had gathered in large numbers from far and near on the riverbed and along the banks of the river to witness the event.
According to legend, Suthapas, a rishi, ignored Sage Dhoorvasar's presence while bathing in Noopura Gangai atop Azhagarkoil. An enraged Dhoorvasar cursed him to be a frog till he was redeemed by Lord Kallazhagar when the deity visited Vaigai.
Suthapas rishi, known as Mandooga (frog) Maharishi, prayed to Lord Kallazhagar to relieve him of his curse. He was redeemed from his curse by Lord Kallazahgar a day after Chitra Pournami.
Symbolising the redemption from the curse to save the frog from falling prey to the storks, a stork was released at the venue. The venue from Thenur was shifted to Madurai by King Tirumalai Nayak during his reign.
After the ritual, Lord Kallazhagar proceeded to Rama Rayar Mandapam on Garuda Vahanam around 4.30 p.m. where the famous 'Dasavatharam,' the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu: Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki will be performed throughout the night.
A large number of police personnel were deployed at the venue to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
