There was a saint managing the Srirangam temple named Nampillai praised by the Vaishnava world as Lokachariar. He had a devout disciple Vallal Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai who was blessed with a male child in 1205 in Aipasi (October-November) on Tiruvonam star day. He named the child Pillai Lokachariar remembering his Guru. The child grew in learning and was devoted to the service of the Lord.
Foreigners invaded Srirangam targeting the temple. Lokachariar was 118 then. Despite his age, he wanted to save the procession deity Azhagia Manavalan. He covered the sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity by a wall, installed some idols there and carried the real procession deities in a covered palanquin and moved towards south with his disciples. He came to Kodikulam enduring untold sufferings. He worshipped Lord Vedanarayana, hid Azhagia Manavalar and performed pujas.
The invaders came to this place too. Lokachariar took the Perumal and reached the top of the hill. When he came down holding the plants and trees for support, he fell down. Even at such a critical time, Lokachariar held Perumal closely on his chest to avoid any injury to Him and fell down with his back to the ground. He was seriously injured. He lived just three days then and attained salvation on Jeshta Suddha Dwadasi in the month of Aani (June-July). Small creatures as flies and ants that had his touch also attained salvation.
His disciples used the garlands and the vastras on Lord for his funeral and buried him there itself. They stayed there for a month and completed the rituals as per rules. They returned to Srirangam after 48 years with the procession deity. Later, a separate shrine was built for Pillai Lokachariar in Kodikulam. On Tiruvonam star days, being the birth of the saint, special pujas are performed in the shrine. Perumal holds Mahalakshmi on His chest. But Pillai Lokachariar held Perumal Himself on his chest. Kodikulam (Jotishkudi) where he attained salvation is near Madurai.
Lord Vedanarayana is in a small shrine alone without His consorts. Creator Brahmma performed penance here as a Brahmin with one head. He is near Perumal. The cave where the procession deity Azhagia Manavalan was hidden earlier from invasion, has the feet of the Lord now. |