How a revered ancient idol of Nammazhwar (one of the 12 Alwar saints ) was removed from the Azhwarthirunagari temple, Tamil Nadu, in 12th C., and later reinstated by a faithful devotee.
A story of faith, courage, and devotion. A thread.
@IndiaTales7 @LostTemple7
A story of faith, courage, and devotion. A thread.
@IndiaTales7 @LostTemple7
2/ In the 12th C., the temple priests at Azhwarthirunagari feared invasion by Muslim rulers and decided to move the idol to a safe place.
They fled after placing Nammazhwar in a wooden palanquin.
They fled after placing Nammazhwar in a wooden palanquin.
3/ When they reached Kozikhode, the Muslim forces closed in, and Ashwar's men converted the palanquin into a wooden box, sealed it, and dropped it into a crater in Munthirippu, a hilly spot.
The idol was hidden there for a long time! 🙏
The idol was hidden there for a long time! 🙏
4/ A few decades later, Thozhappar, a descendant of one of the palanquin carriers, came to know about this hidden idol. He took the help of the Madurai court minister, and reached the crater to retrieve Nammazhwar after a long hunt.
5/ The crater, however, was full of poisonous snakes, and the minister's men refused to enter it. Thozhappar dared to enter the pit himself, retrieving the wooden box but losing his life in the process 🙏
6/ The minister's men brought the Nammazhwar idol back to Azhwarthirunagari and reinstated it with full honour and reverence 🙏
An incredible tale of how faith won over all odds!
An incredible tale of how faith won over all odds!
7/ Story narrated by MA Venkatakrishnan, editor of Geethacharyan, in an Indian express editorial (1990)
Picture Credit in 1st tweet:
Temple 📷 IG: /kannankarthik_photography
Nammazhwar idol 📷 IG: /t_s_nilamangai
Picture Credit in 1st tweet:
Temple 📷 IG: /kannankarthik_photography
Nammazhwar idol 📷 IG: /t_s_nilamangai
