Sri Oppiliappan Perumal Temple

When the Great sea of Vaikunda, the Thiruparkadal was churned, Lakshmi devi and Thulasi devi emerged out from the sea.
Lord Narayana, placed Mahalakshmi in his heart. Thulasi devi too wanted to marry Lord Narayana. So, he guided her to become a thulasi plant where Maharishi Markandeya performed penance. She came to Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam. After a long period of hard pennance Lord Narayana gave her the wife post. Lord Narayana gave Mahalakshmi a place in his heart but he gave Thulasi devi a very special opportunity (ie) Thilasi devi has perumanently got the place as a garland around his neck.
So internally Mahalakshmi blesses us and externally Thulasi devi blesses us. From then Thulasi is considered as a sacred herb and has lots of medicinal values it it.
Markandeya Maharishi is the son of Mrikantu Maharishi and he had the wonderful opportunity of having dharsan of both Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva in his life time.
He prayed hard to Lord Vishnu, asking him to grant him Bhoomidevi as his daughter. His wish was granted, one day he found Bhoomidevi as a two year old child under the Thulasi plant in the forest in Thirunageswaram.
Days went by and one day, Lord Vishnu came as an old Brahmin. Markandeya Maharishi gave him a very hearty welcome the aged Brahmin wanted to marry Bhoomi devi. But, Markandeya Maharishi tried to explain him that his daughter was too young to get married.
But the Brahmin refused to accept his reasons and blackmailed him that if he did not have Bhoomi devi as his wife he would die on the spot.
Maharishi pleaded him to leave his child. He told him that my daughter is not yet fit for marriage mentally and physically. She doesn’t even know to cook food with proper proportion of salt. But the old man unable to be convinced. So, he Maharishi asked his daughter to accept for marriage. She started crying and told her father that she too would die if her father compelled her to marry the old man.
Now, Markandeya Maharishi was caught in fix. He pleaded Mahavishnu to get him out of the problem. Internally he knelt before the Lord and caught his feet and prayed hard to solve his problem.
When Maharishi woke from Dhyanam (Prayer), instead of aged Brahmin he found Lord Mahavishnu clad in most beautiful clothing with one hand in his hip and the other seeking Bhoomi devi’s hand for marriage.
Bhoomi devi was very happy and was really to accept Lord Mahavishnu as her husband. Markandeya Maharishi too was very happy.
So on the day of Sravana Natchatram of the Tamil Month Aipasi Lord Mahavishnu married Bhoomidevi. The grand occassion was graced by Lord Brahma and all the celestial persons (ie) devars. Even than Markanteya Maharishi felt sad due to his boundless towards his daughter. He feared that his daughter might not know the correct quantity of salt for dishes. So he asked Lord Mahavishnu three boons:
1. O! Lord you should take dishes without salt in this place. But the dishes should taste wounderful to you and your devotees.
2. You should never leave my daughter alone, you have to stay with her forever.
3. This place should be named after me.
Hence, from the onwards, Lord Vishnu takes food without salt and so he is called Oppiliappan (ie) Uppu – illatha – appan literall Lord without salt.
So, even today Lord Oppiliappan takes food without salt. Many may think that why so importance to salt. Salt is the main item not only in South Indian dish but in multi continental too. Without salt nothing would taste high. To improve the level of Sweetness to, a pinch of salt is being added. But too much of salt will also spoil the dish. Hence salt plays an important place. Lord Mahavishnu has forbidden such an item showing humanity that love is the most wanted thing in one’s life rather than anything including hatredness.
As from the heaven (ie) Vinnulagam Lord himself wished to stay on this place, this place is known as Vinnagar (place of heaven), also as a wish of Markandeya Maharishi this is also known as “Markanteya Kshetram”. Thulasi devi got her wish satisfied at this place and along with pleasent smelling flowers – Thulasi leaf has got an important role in its part (ie) the role of beautifying Lord Mahavishnu as a garland this place is also called as “Thulasivanam”.