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Tirupullani is a Tamil word. Tiru means sacred, Pula the great Sage named Pula Maharshi and Ani means
forest the sacred forest abode of Pula Maharshi. The other name of the place is Pullaranyam (pull-shrub of
grass aranyam--forest: the forest of grass). This place is known by a
third name too, Darbhasayanam (Darbha means sacred grass Sayanam a bed to rest on the bed
of the sacred grass to rest on).
This name alludes to the incident in Sri Rama's
life when he took rest on the sacred grass during his penance, for three days and nights,
in this particular place. The southern part of India in olden days was a vast shrubby
jungle, infested with Demons who were always a great menace to the Saints and Sages in
their pursuit after eternal truth. Sage Pula Maharshi started a penance sitting under a
Banyan tree, for the deliverance of people from the persecutions of those Rakshasas. As a
result, Mahavishnu appeared in his vision in the form of AdiJagannatha and declared that
he (Vishnu), in his subsequent avatar as Sri Rama, would annihilate the demons and the
wicked, and deliver the world from their cruelties. At the request of Pula Maharshi,
Mahavishnu granted also the boon by which he agreed to reside in this sacred place and
bless his devotees.
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