AHORATRA PUSHKARINI
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Once a learned Brahmin by name Devasarma was overcome by passion and had a forceful union with the daughter of jaimini rishi. On her tearful complaint to her father, the rishi cursed him to become a krauncha bird.
It was then the sinner repented and begging pardon, requested the sage not to impose the curse. The sage relented and advised that while he could not withdraw the curse already pronounced, as a bird he might live in the branch of a tree overlooking the holy pushkarini at this place. A cyclone would blow and break the branch of the tree, which would, along with bird, fall into the holy waters, he will be released from the curse. Accordingly, in due course, Devasarma was released from the curse and regained his original form. Not only that, he was also escorted to Sri Vaikuntam in a divine chariot. Then the messengers of Varuna stopped him and demanded justification for going to Vaikuntam, since he had committed a further sin by dipping in the holy waters during the night, which is forbidden by the sastras. At this, the messenger from Vaikuntam intervened and clarified that this was an exception and bathing was specially permitted in the pushkarini at this holy place, both during day and night and the pushkarini was therefore named as Ahoratra pushkarini meaning "Day and Night Holy Tank". Thus saying, the Lord's messengers took the Brahmin to Sri Vaikuntam. Anyone who bathes in the pushkarini acquires a lot of merit (punya).
There are other holy tanks as well, outside the temple. Sarnga tank to the south-west of the temple is considered holier than Dhanushkodi. Surya tank to the west of the temple has an interesting legend. Siva once plucked one of the heads of Brahma (who had five heads earlier) and to get rid of the sin, he bathed in the holy waters of Ahoratra pushkarini and is still doing penance here. Since Surya (sun) repaired this tank, it is called Surya tank.
In the north-east of the temple is Indra tirtha (tank), so named because indra washed off his sin of molesting Ahalya, by bathing these holy waters. To the south of this is Brahma tirtha, so named because Brahma bathed in this tank and did penance, because of which he became what he was (Brahma).
All these tanks outside the temple do not exist now. Either they have become completely dry or they could not be located.
To the south of the temple run three holy rivers, even now :-
1. Dakshina Ganga (ganga of the south), now named as
Nattaru
2. Dakshina Yamuna, now known as Arasalar.
3. Dakshina Godavari, now known as Kirtiman river.
It is said those who worship the Lord with tulasi leaves shall get the fruits of Aswamedha yaga. One who donates even a small piece of land to the temple, shall attain maksha. One who offers sandal paste, kumkum and flowers to the Lord shall get purified from all sins. Similarly, one who does other similar services to the Lord and temple will get rid of all heinous sins committed by him. When even one who comes from outside and worships the Lord, easily attains moksha, it is needless to say that those who reside in this holy place itself and serve the Lord do attain moksha, by God's grace.
Even those who read this holy history of this temple, or those who hear the same, will achieve all benefits and all desires and obtain the supreme grace of the Lord. Even the house, where this book is kept, becomes holy.
Narada was grateful to Brahma for narrating the diving glory of the temple and the Lord and visited the temple at Tiruvinnagar for worshipful prayers and doing penance.