During our Pandiyanadu divyadeshams tour , we first visited Sethukarai .
Sethukarai , meaning the edge of the sea at Sethu , a tiny village near Tirupullani , finds a prominent place in the Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Rama constructed a bridge of floating stones across the sea to Srilanka , with the help of Hanuman and His army of vanaras. Interestingly a Hanuman temple is here facing the sea . People take aholy dip in the sea and worship Lord Hanuman . Many do srartham (rituals done for ancestors) at this place .
Thirupullani
This town is also connected to Madurai via NH 49. It is well connected to the rest of the country too via road, as well as railway through Madurai junction .
Thirupullani Aadhi Jaganatha Perumal temple is one among the Pandiyanadu divyadeshams .This temple is also called as Dakshina Jaganatha Perumal temple . Uthara Jagnath temple in Puri and madya Jagnath in Thirumazhisai near Chennai . Here the Main deity Aadhi Jaganatha Perumal is in sitting posture with Goddess Sridevi and Bhumidevi.
There are many legends behind Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple. According to one legend , Lord Rama while on his way to Lanka to fight demon Ravana , who had kidnapped Goddess Sita , had requested Lord Samudra Raja , the God of Ocean to allow a way through the ocean to Lanka. It is believed that Lord Rama had offered prayers lying on Kusa grass; which is known as Dharba Sayanam. Later, Lord Samudraraja, after making the sea gentle and low, had asked the Lord to build a bridge to Lanka.
According to another legend, at this place, Lord Rama had met Pulla maharishi under a peepal tree. It is said that Lord Rama has offered his prayers to Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal at this place before starting his journey to Lanka. Adi Jagannatha Perumal then gave Lord Rama a bow which was used to kill demon Ravana.
There is another legend according to which King Dasaratha who was the father of Lord Rama, had offered prayers here. It is said that in answers to his prayers and dedicated efforts, his wives gave birth to his children – Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna. Owing to this legend, many childless devotees come here to worship and seek blessings of the Lord.
Here Lord Ramar is in sayana kolam as well as there is Lord Kothandaramar sannidhi along with Goddess Seetha and Lakshmana and big statue of Lord Santhana Krishnan with a five headed snake .
Here the moolavar is Aadhi Jaganatha Perumal with His consort Goddess Kalyanavalli or Padmasini in sitting posture.
Thirumangai alwar has sung praising this Lord .
Ranjus travel blog 