FOOD PIT AND INVITING VAIGAI CHAPTER.

“ O” Dear, this is a surprise. Food meant for more than several lakhs of people was eaten by this single man alone himself. If we allow him further, I am afraid he will eat even the cooking vessels. Even after that if his hunger is satiated will he eat even the world?  “O” Lord why this test?” Thus spoke Meenakshi. After consoling Meenakshi, Lord Sundaresar brought four pits.(Kuzhi in tamil). He ensured that milk, rice, curd rice etcm was made available in them. Food that came out of those pits did not finish or end. When his hunger was satiated Kundotharan went in search of water sources like well. Tank, river etc, to quench his thirst. The various tanks in Madurai dried up after he completely drank the water in them. Even after that his thirst did not quench. He requested Lord Sundareswarar “O” Lord Help me to quench his thirst. He then leaned his head on one side and asked Ganga to get down from his matted head. “O” Ganga, Flow as a river through this Madurai city.” He said to Ganga.

She replied to Lord Sundareswara “Swami, I will act as per wish . I am blessed to flow as a river on this auspicious day of your marriage.  Those who take bath on this marriage day of yours in me should be blessed with Moksha or Mukthi(no re birth). The places which offer Mukthi are Vaikunda and Kailash. You will be called in Madurai hence forth by the first letter VAIgai and first letter of KAIlash  as VAIGAI. Those who take bath in this Vaigai, those drink the water of the river as theertham will get Mukthi or Moksham. Then Ganga Devi flowed as a river. She got the name Vegavathi.  Kundotharan put his hands on each side of the river bund and stopped the flow of the river by his hands. He drank the river water to his satisfaction and quenched his thirst. Since he was asked by the Lord “ Vai  Gai “(Put Hand) in the river water to drink the water the river is also called VAIGAI. Kundotharan gave it the holy name SIVA THEEERTHAM since it came from the head of Lord Shiva. Sundareswarar bestowed on him the leadership for Siva Ganas(herd) for the excellent work, and preparatory work for his marriage.